A jack of all trades

Jason Cafarella wears many hats. He’s a Niagara County attorney, a firefighter, a member of the Niagara County Community College Board of Trustees, and now a Niagara Falls City Court judge. It’s an impressive résumé – but it raises an important question:
How does one man find the time for so many roles? More importantly, how does he get these positions?

For those unfamiliar, Cafarella was appointed as the attorney for children in my sister Katie Riford’s case. He was handpicked by Niagara County Family Court Judge Erin DeLabio. That appointment – and others- warrant a closer look.

A Federal Asset?

Jason Cafarella has a curious habit of being in the right place at the right time. And yet, wherever he shows up, someone seems to get done in – often by the feds.

Niagara Falls Housing Authority

source: https://buffalonews.com/article_56f3f423-1735-502b-b118-03eeb435e21d.html “Falls housing authority to sell home occupied by suspended exec’s sister”

https://buffalonews.com/news/local/niagara-falls-housing-authority-ends-its-investigation-of-director/article_682a3c97-1ea0-5d6c-a99d-a0026e3d5f00.html – Niagara Falls Housing Authority ends its investigation of director

Niagara County Community College

source: https://www.wkbw.com/news/faculty-stunned-after-nccc-board-votes-to-keep-president-despite-scandal – Faculty “stunned” after NCCC board vote

A shady past

If Jason Cafarella is a federal asset, the first question is: How did he become one?
Generally speaking, federal assets—or informants—are often people who’ve been caught up in criminal activity. In exchange for cooperation, charges are dismissed, reduced, or simply disappear.

In 2009, Jason Cafarella would be named in a NYS Attorney General lawsuit for unlawful debt collection practices.

https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/courts-falls-firm-among-35-targeted-by-attorney-general-s-office/article_97e8e10d-a817-5a79-aa56-2155afd09962.html – COURTS: Falls firm among 35 targeted by Attorney General’s office | Local News | niagara-gazette.com

Jason Cafarella’s business partner Jason Zona accused of election fraud

https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/zona-destino-cleared-after-county-investigation/article_0ed07965-79a9-5876-a12f-ea27bdbba588.html – Zona, Destino cleared after county investigation | Local News | niagara-gazette.com

Jason Cafarella Rewarded by Anthony Vilardo, president of USA Niagara Development Corp.

In 2022, Anthony Vilardo, president of USA Niagara Development Corporation – and a relative of Federal Judge Lawerence Vilardo – oversaw a transaction that effectively handed over millions of dollars’ worth of Niagara Falls property to Jason Cafarella and Jason Zona.
Was this a reward for Cafarella’s cooperation? Or was it just business as usual in Niagara County?

source: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/business/redevelopment-efforts-bring-new-life-to-downtown-niagara-falls/article_d2cfc198-4e2a-11ed-aa46-5ff33ad28723.html – Redevelopment efforts bring new life to downtown Niagara Falls

Whether Jason Cafarella is a federal asset remains a question worth asking. His connections, timing, and history certainly raise red flags. As always, we encourage readers to follow the facts—and ask why certain people seem to rise above accountability in Niagara County.