Steven Toprani | |
---|---|
District Attorney of Washington County, Pennsylvania | |
In office 2007–2011 | |
Preceded by | John Pettit |
Succeeded by | Eugene Vittone |
Personal details | |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Monongahela,Pennsylvania |
Alma mater | California University of Pennsylvania Duquesne University School of Law |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Steven Toprani is an attorney and former District Attorney of Washington County,Pennsylvania. [1] He grew up in Carroll Township,Washington County,Pennsylvania. [2] He attended California University of Pennsylvania,and The Duquesne University School of Law. [1] He now resides in Monongahela,Pennsylvania. [2]
Following graduation,he worked as an assistant counsel in the Pennsylvania Office of General Counsel at Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. [3] He then worked in private practice at a firm in South Fayette Township,Pennsylvania. [2]
In 2007,he ran against long-time District Attorney John Pettit;the campaign was described as "hand-to-hand" with a Toprani focusing on knocking on doors and built up grassroots support. [4] Toprani,a Republican newcomer running for office in an overwhelmingly Democratic county. [2] At the time,Pettit was being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a grand jury for preferential treatment to friends and political supporters as district attorney,which became an issue in the campaign. [5] Toprani received 65.5 percent of the vote. [2] At the time of his election,he was the youngest District Attorney in the state. [2] He was named 40 Under 40 by Pittsburgh Magazine. [1] A longtime Republican and supporter of former Pennsylvania Governor,Tom Corbett,Toprani switched to the Democratic Party before running for State Representative in Pennsylvania's 49th Legislative District.
Following the election,Toprani found a District Attorney's office that had little technology,which he remedied with a $220,000 federal grant that was used to drug task force and obtaining electronic surveillance equipment. [2]
He was generally well-regarded by law enforcement for his efforts. [6] He implemented the first investigating grand jury in county history. [2]
His tenure made him known for prosecuting corrupt police officers. [7] [8]
In March 2011,he announced a decision not to run for re-election. [2] Following the end of his tenure as District Attorney,he joined the Leech Tishman law firm. [3] In private practice,he was hired by the Pittsburgh Police to review procedures following the resignation of Chief Nathan Harper. [9] He also represented former President of California University of Pennsylvania Angelo Armenti's wrongful termination lawsuit against the university. [10]
Toprani is currently a member of the Ringgold School District School Board. [11]
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