Governor Corbett Announces Departure of Legislative Affairs Secretary

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced that Secretary of Legislative Affairs Christopher D. Carusone will be leaving the administration to become a partner in the Harrisburg office of the Philadelphia-based Conrad O'Brien law firm.

"I have worked with Chris for many years, both in the Attorney General's Office and more recently in the Governor's Office. He has been a model of personal integrity and devotion to duty. A skilled lawyer, he is always focused on what is best for the commonwealth and its citizens,'' Corbett said.

"Chris took on one of the most challenging positions in state government and worked extremely hard for the citizens of Pennsylvania. He has earned the admiration of everyone with whom he worked."

Before becoming Secretary of Legislative Affairs, Carusone served as executive deputy general counsel for legislation and criminal justice in the Office of General Counsel, where he acted as counsel on all legislative matters.

"I am especially grateful to Chris for giving us an extra year of service. He intended to leave for the private sector last year, but delayed his departure at my request in order to take on the role as legislative secretary,'' Corbett said.

Prior to joining the administration, Carusone was a chief deputy attorney general in the criminal law division when Corbett was serving as attorney general.

In that role, Carusone supervised the Appeals and Legal Services section, which handles all criminal appeals and post-conviction litigation. He also supervised the Grand Jury Unit, Capital Litigation Unit and Victims Services Unit.

Carusone also served as an assistant district attorney in Berks County, assistant counsel for the Pennsylvania State Police and assistant counsel for the Office of Inspector General.

He is a graduate of Providence College and Widener University School of Law, where he served as a member of the Law Review.

Carusone will depart mid-August, Executive Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs Andrew Ritter will then serve as acting secretary.

For more information, visit www.pa.gov.

Media contact:  Kevin Harley, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor