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Kevin Riford
Hired to terrorize
In 2019, private investigator Peter M. Vito was hired to intimidate and instill fear in the Riford family. Associates of Peter M. Vito engaged in harassing tactics following supervised visitation sessions where Niagara County resident Katie Riford would drop off her children with their father. The Riford family subsequently reported Peter Vito and his two employees, Michael Mazga and Patrick Ostrowski, both active employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection who were moonlighting as private investigators. You can read more about that here. After reporting Peter M. Vito, he would subsequently loose his U.S. Marshal nomination.
After the Riford family reported Peter Vito and his employees to FBI Special Agent Brian Burns, Peter Vito retaliated by going door-to-door throughout Niagara and Erie Counties in Western New York. During these interactions, he falsely claimed that Kevin Riford had “bragged about being a sovereign citizen,” referencing a group labeled by the FBI as a domestic terror organization. Vito spread additional falsehoods within the community, providing no evidence aside from his own statements.
What our investigation found
Upon further investigation into Peter Vito’s background, we discovered that this incident involving the Riford family was far from an isolated case.
“Unauthorized Participation by Erie County Official Raises Safety and Legal Concerns”
On September 15, 2011, the Erie County Comptroller’s Office addressed concerns to Brian McLaughlin, Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Probation. An anonymous tip had reported that Peter Vito, Commissioner of Central Police Services, improperly participated in a probation violator roundup while carrying a loaded firearm, despite lacking law enforcement authority and appropriate training. This incident allegedly resulted in Johnny Williams jumping from a third-floor window, sustaining serious injuries. The letter requested immediate clarification on Vito’s participation, firearm authorization, the specific details of the incident involving injuries, and the policies governing such operations.
“Comptroller’s Office Addresses Commissioner Vito’s Politically Motivated Claims Regarding Homeland Security Contracts”
The Erie County Comptroller’s Office wrote to Commissioner Peter M. Vito regarding concerns over his involvement and statements about 2007 Homeland Security Contracts. The Comptroller expressed frustration at Vito’s repeated interference in issues unrelated to his department, suggesting his claims were politically motivated and without merit. The Comptroller clarified the proper process for claims submissions, highlighting that Vito had misunderstood procedures and wrongly blamed the Comptroller’s Office for delays. The letter emphasized departmental responsibility for timely claim submissions and concluded by indicating the issue had been resolved cooperatively with other county departments, noting no further involvement from Vito’s office was necessary or appropriate.
“Private Investigator’s Interference Amplifies Tensions in Niagara County District Attorney’s Office”
The news article below discusses accusations involving Elizabeth Donatello, an assistant district attorney in Niagara County, who accused District Attorney Michael Violante of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Other female employees contradicted Donatello’s claims, highlighting her as a rising prosecutor until her husband, politically connected private investigator Peter Vito, allegedly interfered in her career. The conflict intensified after Donatello sought a salary increase Violante couldn’t independently authorize, leading to tension and public confrontation. Peter Vito reportedly targeted assistant district attorney Robert Zucco, criticizing his competency and salary, causing further turmoil. Assistant District Attorney Holly Sloma defended Zucco but faced hostility from Vito. Violante later warned Donatello against her husband’s interference, emphasizing its detrimental impact on her career.
