WBOB Original Reads

Attorney General-Elect Peter Neronha Announces Leadership Team Appointments

11/16/2018

Attorney General-Elect Peter F. Neronha today announced his choices for several leadership positions within the Office of Attorney General at the start of his term on January 1, 2019. New additions to the leadership team will include: Adi Goldstein, Deputy Attorney General; Stephen Dambruch, Criminal Division Chief; Kate Sabatini, Chief of Policy; Edward Troiano, Chief of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI); Aida Crosson, Director of Administration; and Ani Haroian, Director of Community Engagement. Current Civil Division Chief Rebecca Partington will continue on in her role during the new administration.

Attorney General-elect Peter F. Neronha commented: “I am confident that these individuals will serve the Office and the people of Rhode Island extraordinarily well. They have demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, and will bring energy, professionalism and sound judgment to their respective positions. I have worked with several of them in government for many years. I am grateful to them for their willingness to join what I know will be an effective team.”

In addition to their positions within the new administration, the announced individuals will also be a part of transition efforts in a volunteer capacity. Ani Haroian and Blake Collins are currently serving as transition staff. Transition efforts will continue through the end of December and those interested in contacting transition staff may do so by email, info@attgenelect.com or phone, (401) 270-7611.

Background

Adi Goldstein will assume the role of Deputy Attorney General after having served as Senior Legal Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Gina M. Raimondo since 2017. Ms. Goldstein previously served as Criminal Division Chief in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island from 2014 - 2016, and as Criminal Division Deputy Chief from 2009 - 2014. Prior to those roles, Ms. Goldstein served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2002 - 2009. Ms. Goldstein began her law career as a clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and an Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. She was also a partner in the litigation practice at the law firm Hinckley, Allen and Snyder. Ms. Goldstein is a 1995 graduate of Harvard University and received her law degree from Columbia Law School in 1999.

Stephen Dambruch will serve as Criminal Division Chief in the new administration. Mr. Dambruch will transition from his current position as the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, a role he has held since 2017. As a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Dambruch has held positions as First Assistant U.S. Attorney (2014 - 2017), Criminal Division Chief (2007 - 2014), and Assistant U.S. Attorney (2004 - 2007). Prior to his work in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Dambruch served as a state prosecutor in the R.I. Attorney General’s Office for 16 years, including as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division. Mr. Dambruch is a 1982 graduate of Providence College. He received his law degree from Boston College Law School in 1985.

Current Civil Division Chief Rebecca Partington will continue on in her role in the new administration. Ms. Partington has served as Civil Division Chief since 2016 and overall as an attorney in the Attorney General’s office for 30 years. Ms. Partington graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1981 and earned her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 1984.

Kate Sabatini will join the new administration in the role of Chief of Policy and Assistant Attorney General. Ms. Sabatini will transition from the City of Providence where she currently serves as Chief of Policy and Senior Advisor to Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. From 2012 - 2017, Ms. Sabatini represented the City of Providence as an attorney in the City Solicitor’s Office, and served as Municipal Integrity Officer from 2015 - 2017. Ms. Sabatini began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable William P. Robinson III of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island and later as law clerk to the Honorable William E. Smith of the United States District Court in Rhode Island. Ms. Sabatini graduated from Middlebury College in 2002, and earned her law degree from Boston College Law School in 2010.

Edward Troiano will serve as Chief of the Office’s BCI division. Mr. Troiano is a 24-year veteran of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, having served as a Special Agent and Acting Resident Agent in Charge of the Rhode Island Field Office for several periods during that time. Mr. Troiano is a 1990 graduate of Trinity College in Hartford.

Aida Crosson will join the office as Director of Administration. Ms. Crosson has served as Director of Community Affairs in the district office of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse since 2015. Previously, Ms. Crosson served as Deputy Secretary of State & Personnel Director from 2011 to 2015. Ms. Crosson previously served in the Attorney General’s office as Director of Personnel from 2004 - 2011. Ms. Crosson is a graduate of the Community College of Rhode Island, Johnson and Wales University, and is currently completing her Master’s Degree at Roger Williams University.

Ani Haroian will join the new administration as Director of Community Engagement. Ms. Haroian will lead the office’s effort to substantially grow its presence in communities throughout the state. As Community Relations Director for the City of Providence from 2007 - 2015, and as Neighborhood Liaison from 2015 - 2018, Ms. Haroian developed and maintained community partnerships between government and community stakeholders. Ms. Haroian also served in the Attorney General’s office from 1999 - 2007, helping lead the Office’s community relations efforts and also as Chief of the Consumer Unit.