Peter Neronha

Peter Neronha
74thAttorney General of Rhode Island
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2019
Governor	Gina Raimondo Dan McKee
Preceded by	Peter Kilmartin
United States Attorneyfor theDistrict of Rhode Island
In office September 16, 2009 – March 10, 2017
President	Barack Obama Donald Trump
Preceded by	Robert Clark Corrente
Succeeded by	Aaron L. Weisman
Personal details
Born	Peter Franz Neronha (1963-12-17)December 17, 1963 Wakefield, Rhode Island,U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Shelly
Children	2
Education	Boston College(BA,JD)

Peter Franz Neronha(born December 17, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician fromJamestown, Rhode Islandwho currently serves as theattorney general of Rhode Island.He previously served as the United States attorney for the District of Rhode Island under PresidentBarack Obamafrom September 16, 2009 until March 10, 2017, after which he ran successfully as aDemocratfor the office ofAttorney General of Rhode Islandin the2018 elections.

Early life and education

He was born inWakefield, Rhode Islandand attendedNorth Kingstown High Schoolbefore graduatingsumma cum laudefromBoston Collegeand earning aJuris DoctorfromBoston College Law School,where he was a member of theBoston College Law Review.

Career

Following his graduation from law school, Neronha joined theBoston,Massachusettslaw firm,Goodwin ProcterLLP, where he practiced commercial litigation for nearly seven years. His public service career began with his appointment as a state prosecutor in the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office in 1996. In 2002, Neronha became a federal prosecutor, joining theUnited States Attorney's Office.In 2009, on the recommendation of U.S. SenatorsJack ReedandSheldon Whitehouse,President Barack Obama appointed Neronha to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. Neronha's appointment was unanimously confirmed by theUnited States Senateon September 16, 2009.

United States Attorney

While serving as United States Attorney, Neronha served two terms on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee, a group of sixteen United States Attorneys from across the country that advised the Attorney General of the United States on policy and operational matters affecting theDepartment of Justicenationwide. He also Co-Chaired the Operations, Management and Budget (OMB) Subcommittee, responsible for reviewing and making recommendations concerning the approximately 2 billion-dollar budget for the entire United States Attorney component of the Department of Justice.

During his seven years as United States Attorney, Neronha made public corruption the top priority of the United States Attorney's Office. Under his direction or continuation of previously started investigations, the Office prosecuted numerous cases against state and local elected officials, including a town mayor, three town councilmen, a state senator, a state representative, a House of Representatives Finance Chairman and aHouse Speaker,all of whom were sentenced to terms in federal prison.

As United States Attorney, Neronha prioritized combating the state's opioid crisis, combining prosecution of major, cartel-linked drug trafficking organizations with prevention initiatives.He spoke personally to over 10,000 students at high schools and moderated panels at town halls across the state. He also advocated for a "smart" approach to reducing violent crime by focusing law enforcement resources on those individuals driving violent crime, while working in the community on crime prevention and to help secure employment for people leaving prison. He also prioritized the work of the Office's Civil Division, bringing cases to protect consumers, safeguard public money from waste and abuse, and protect the environment.

Additionally, as United States Attorney, Neronha investigatedGoogleregarding its business practice of assisting off-shore pharmacies unlawfully importing controlled substances, including opioids, into the United States. The investigation was initiated by Neronha's predecessor, Robert Corrente. As a result of that investigation, Google forfeited 500 million dollars, one of the five largest forfeitures in U.S. history, of which 230 million dollars were returned to Rhode Island.

Neronha was one of the U.S. attorneys who was asked to resign byAttorney GeneralJeff Sessionsin the2017 dismissal of U.S. attorneys.

Attorney General of Rhode Island

In October 2017, Neronha announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for the office ofAttorney General of Rhode Island.The previous Attorney General,Peter Kilmartinwas term limited.Neronha was the only Democrat running for the office. He ran against Compassion Party candidate Alan Gordon.

In the general election, Neronha defeated Alan Gordon of the Compassion Party 79.8% to 19.1%.

As Attorney General of Rhode Island, Neronha joined a multi-state lawsuit to challenge the President'sNational Emergency Concerning the Southern Border of the United States.

He has started a review into theCatholicDiocese of Providenceto review sexual abuse claims against the church.The review is going through almost 70 years worth of records from theDiocese of Providenceand will be modeled on the report from theGrand jury investigation of Catholic Church sexual abuse in Pennsylvania.

Neronha, alongsideGovernorGina Raimondo,has submitted a package of gun control bills for consideration by theGeneral Assembly.These include making it illegal to purchase a gun on behalf of someone else who is prohibited from owning a gun themselves and requiring that all firearms be safely stored unless being used by the owner. He also supported some other bills such as anassault weaponsban bill anduniversal background checkbill that were being considered by the assembly.

Personal life

He and his wife Shelly are married and have two children.

See also

• 2017 dismissal of U.S. attorneys

External links

• Government website
• Campaign website

• ProfileatVote Smart