Steven Toprani

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]

Steven Toprani
District Attorney of Washington County, Pennsylvania
In office
2007–2011
Preceded byJohn Pettit
Succeeded byEugene VIttone
Personal details
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceMonongahela, Pennsylvania
Alma materCalifornia University of Pennsylvania
Duquesne University School of Law
OccupationLawyer

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, Allegheny County, 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]

References
  1. "Steven M. Toprani". Leech Tishman. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  2. Buckley, Chris (Dec 5, 2011). "Toprani looks back on lone term as DA". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  3. "Leech Tishman Welcomes Former Washington County District Attorney Steven Toprani". Leech Tishman. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  4. Conte, Andrew (November 23, 2007). "Steve Toprani a sudden celebrity". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  5. Schackner, Bill (October 31, 2010). "Obituary: John C. Pettit / Former longtime Washington County district attorney". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  6. Crompton, Janice (May 4, 2008). "Toprani gets good marks early in tenure as DA". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  7. "Former DA: Nate Harper's resignation will not affect police investigation - Steven Toprani known for prosecuting corrupt police officers". WTAE-TV. February 21, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013. Former Washington County District Attorney Steven Toprani was tapped by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, in part because of his record prosecuting corrupt police officers.
  8. "3 Pittsburgh Police Employees Put On Leave Following Chief's Resignation". KDKA-TV. February 21, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013. Former Washington County prosecutor Steve Toprani was known for exposing corruption, going after wayward cops. His new role with the City of Pittsburgh may take him down a similar path.
  9. Balingit, Moriah (February 18, 2013). "Ravenstahl taps former DA to study Pittsburgh police employment policies". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 18, 2013./
  10. Buckley, Chris (Aug 22, 2012). "Fired Cal U president sues state system over alleged Sunshine Law violation". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
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