Montco's Josh Shapiro Sworn in As PA Attorney General, Vows to Bring Back Integrity

Former Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro was officially sworn in as the Pennsylvania attorney general this week.

Shapiro, a Democrat, is the state's sixth elected attorney general.

“While I thank the more than 3 million Pennsylvanians who voted for me and entrusted me with this awesome responsibility, I want everyone to know, that I will be the Attorney General for all Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro said in prepared remarks to a crowd of more than 800 people at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg. “I will protect each and every Pennsylvanian and the principles that our great Commonwealth was founded upon. That is the public trust that I just swore to uphold, preserve and protect and I will do so with every fiber of my being.”

During his speech Tuesday, Shapiro said that his first order of businesses would be a new "Code of Conduct" aimed at bringing integrity back to an office that has seen several leaders come and go in recent months. That office has an unusual pipeline straight to Montgomery County.

First there was Kathleen Kane, the state's first elected female attorney general, who was found guilty of perjury charges and sentenced to prison. Charges were brought against Kane by former county district attorney, Risa Vetri Ferman.

When Kane stepped down, another former Montgomery County DA, Bruce Castor, stepped in as the acting attorney general. Bruce Beemer took over from there, until Shapiro, another Montgomery County product, took office Tuesday after being elected in November.

True to his word, Shapiro unveiled a new code of conduct on Friday. The code requires members of the office to safeguard confidential information, comply with ethics trainings, and perform duties without discrimination toward any minorities.

“The people of Pennsylvania should never again have to doubt the integrity of this office,” Shapiro said. “This code is a promise I’m making to you, and a promise every member of this office is making to one another – to uphold the highest standard of integrity and ensure our justice system works for all.”

In his remarks Tuesday, Shapiro touched on the heroin and opioid epidemic and scams against seniors and veterans. He also hinted that he would not back down from confrontations with President-elect Trump.

“Let me be very clear—I won’t be afraid to stand up to anyone who threatens your rights— whether it’s the President of the United States or the person on the street corner. Anyone who tries to roll back your rights will have to come through me.”

Before he was Chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, Shapiro served as a state representative from the 153rd legislative district.

Image via Josh Shapiro Facebook