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Suzanne Corona admits to dosing coffee with Amaretto in violation of probation

By Billie Owens

Suzanne Corona admitted to a violation of her probation in Genesee County Court on Wednesday afternoon and therefore Acting Judge Michael F. Pietruszka allowed her to continue serving probation without any additional penalty.

"I put Amaretto in my coffee," she told the judge, explaining why a urine sample taken from her on March 21 tested positive for alcohol, which she is forbidden from imbibing under the terms of her probation.

The terms were set forth last year after she admitted selling $60 worth of suboxone, a controlled substance, to an undercover agent of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

By pleading guilty on Aug. 3, she avoided serving up to one and a half years in prison and one year of post-release supervision and got probation instead, without objection from the DA's Office.

Although she got into trouble with the law several times during the period of 2010 and 2014, she had never faced a felony charge until then. As a first-time felony offender, the judge in the case, Robert C. Noonan, now retired, had leeway to give her jail time instead or probation.

Corona made headlines worldwide when she was arrested on an adultery charge in 2010 after being observed in an apparent sexual act with a man not her husband on a picnic table in Farrall Park. Then came accusations of shoplifting from a local restaurant, which led to a disturbance there and Corona being wheeled away on a gurney into a waiting ambulance, and various other shoplifting charges, including an arrest at Target on a day when a Sheriff's deputy was there doing a K-9 demonstration.

The Ousterhout Avenue resident avoided getting into trouble for a long time and then came the arrest for selling suboxone.

After testing positive for alcohol last month, she initially denied violating the conditions of her probation, then on the advice of her attorney, Brian Degnan, she reversed course. Even in court yesterday, after having conferred with her attorney, she at first refused to admit guilt.

Pietruszka asked if she was on medication and she said is prescribed medication for "mental health, pain, anxiety and thyroid." When asked, she said she has never been in treatment for drug addiction but she has, and continues, treatment for alcoholism.

Asked if she was satisfied with her attorney, she said yes, and acknowleged that her admission of guilt was being made without coercion or under any threat, and with the understanding that admitting the violation was the same as being convicted after a hearing in court.

The judge said in reviewing her file, he saw nothing to indicate an extra penalty would be imposed if she failed supervision. He said the interim supervision of probation imposed last summer would continue.

Corona, in her mid-40s, was easily the best-dressed person in the gallery of the courtroom Wednesday, admittedly not a high bar. She wore a short, navy blue, knit panel skirt and matching jacket, with buff-colored pumps, nude hose, a cloth shoulder bag with a long strap that had wide, bold navy and white stripes. Her chunky silver wristwatch was encrusted with crystals. French manicured nails, one fingertip painted navy; silver thumb ring and thin silver bangle earrings. Her perfume? "Juicy Couture."

After she left the courtroom by herself, she seemed relieved, the nervousness she conceded earlier abated. Asked how she ended up where she is, she sadly and briefly articulated the "rough road" of her upbringing and said she is working hard on her issues.

And Degnan couldn't help but note that for someone like his client to have only slipped up once in nearly a year is in itself an accomplishment.

"I pay $105 out of my own pocket for counseling, (I go) three times a week," she said proudly. "I don't get public assistance."

Ed Hartgrove

Billie. I had to laugh when I read this: "Corona, in her mid-40s, was easily the best-dressed person in the gallery of the courtroom Wednesday, admittedly not a high bar. She wore a short, navy blue, knit panel skirt and matching jacket, with buff-colored pumps, nude hose, a cloth shoulder bag with a long strap that had wide, bold navy and white stripes. Her chunky silver wristwatch was encrusted with crystals. French manicured nails, one fingertip painted navy; silver thumb ring and thin silver bangle earrings. Her perfume? "Juicy Couture."

I thought, "What does Howard know from knit panel skirts and French manicured nails?" Then I saw it was your post, Billie.

I'm guessing that Ms. Corona must still be looking pretty good, as it seems every judge that has dealings with her appears to go quite lightly on her. Send her up in front of Judge Judy, and see if she fares as well.

All I can say is, whatever she's putting in her coffee, "I'll have what she's having!"

It would appear to be a drink equivalent to a "Get-out-of-jail-Free card".

Apr 14, 2016, 7:51pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Just an afterthought. Perhaps Ms. Corona should think about starting a light-jazz band.

She could play the Maestro's wand, and call the band "Juicy Couture, Anyone?".

Apr 14, 2016, 7:58pm Permalink
James Renfrew

What does her appearance or clothing have to do with anything? Either refrain from this kind of comment or post clothing observations of all people named in all stories.

Apr 14, 2016, 11:47pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

This woman has proven time-and-time-again that she can't be trusted to comply after she was spared jail time and given every consideration. She is going to violate with anything she can get away with, no matter how petty or minor. Call it whatever you like; selfish, impertinent, puerile; passive aggressive acting out......recalcitrant; she simply can't be trusted to keep her word. Don't be surprised to see her name in the NEWS AGAIN.

Apr 15, 2016, 5:58am Permalink
Steven Roth

I have to agree with James Renfrew.......I was reading a fairly tight new story when a wedding announcement broke out ! The description of her apparel really wasn't necessary unless it was part of a shoplifting charge. I really expected to read that the couple honeymooned in the Bahamas.........

Apr 15, 2016, 6:08am Permalink
Mike Piazza

What's the big deal about giving a vivid description when a pic wasn't available? It's a news story and personally I like to use my mind to visualize how things play out. Sort of like listening to a baseball game when the announcer describes the home and away teams uniforms to give the audience a "feel" for what it looks like on the field. IMO, there was nothing derogatory about the description of Ms. Corona's attire - it sounded like she was appropriately dressed for the occasion, unlike a lot of people that appear before the court dressed down and showing a total lack of respect for the court. Just my opinion.

Apr 15, 2016, 9:00am Permalink
Mike Piazza

I would also like to add that many newspapers and media organizations use descriptions of not just the defendants when reporting a court proceeding but their families as well as the families of the plaintiff. It adds color to the story. Also, in my previous statement, I should have said radio announcer.

Apr 15, 2016, 9:03am Permalink
Brian Schollard

We don't get to see stories written from a female perspective very often. Howard obviously needs better fashion sense. Thank you Billie, you have a true wit in your writing style

Apr 15, 2016, 9:41am Permalink
Billie Owens

I don't put in details about someone's appearance at the expense of facts. These visual clues are not uncommon in stories written by me. It depends on the story, but sometimes such details can enhance a story. It's called adding color. If you don't like color, don't read my stories.

Every writer also has "a voice." Even in journalism, there are nuances to each writer's approach and decision about what to add, what to omit and what to leave alone. It's partly judgement, partly creative option, partly style. Time can be a factor, too. It's a mix.

In the latest Suzanne Corona story, I included what she wore because I found it interesting that she obviously, and for whatever reason, took the time to create a total look. Not just proper grooming, but a fashion statement. That's a rare bird in the Genesee County Courthouse.

Expect more of same.

Apr 15, 2016, 10:52am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

There's no one way to write a news story. Billie has her style, and I have mine and I rather enjoy and envy her style. I drop in descriptions of the defendant sometimes, but not with Billie's flair. Typically, being a descriptive writer is considered being a good writer. I reject the notion that description doesn't belong in a news story. The greatest non-fiction writers of our times all include a rich tapestry of description. Good writing belongs in a news story. Kudos to Billie for producing something that is enjoyable to read.

Apr 15, 2016, 10:57am Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Hey, Mike! I loved the part of your comment where you said, "personally I like to use my mind to visualize how things play out."

That's what separates people that enjoy reading from people who read because they have to (for whatever reason).

Your comment got me to wondering, Mike.

How many people do you suppose visualized how things played out back in 2010, when Genesee County was first "introduced" to Ms. Corona, by the story of her being observed  on a picnic table in Farrell Park?

I certainly don't remember hearing anyone complaining about any description back then. Just saying!

Have a great weekend, Mike!

Apr 15, 2016, 12:57pm Permalink
Mike Piazza

Ed, that's funny! That(first event that brought Ms. Corona notoriety)never crossed my mind when I gave my opinion this morning regarding describing what the defendant was wearing. Surprisingly, you seem to get wittier as you grow older:). Anyways, always good to hear from you and hope you are well. Take care and have a great weekend yourself! We're finally getting some decent weather - 60s to 70s.

Apr 15, 2016, 2:09pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Thanks, Mike.
Not sure about the wittier part. You didn't happen to misspell "whiter", did you? The only way I could get whiter is to visit NY. ;)

Yeah, I saw where you were gonna get nice weather.

Later!

Apr 15, 2016, 2:21pm Permalink

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