Governor Phil Murphy | Official Website of Phil Murphy
Governor Phil Murphy | Official Website of Phil Murphy
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced significant leadership changes within the Department of Law and Public Safety. Deputy Director Theresa Hilton is set to take over as Director of the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) following J. Stephen Ferketic's departure later this month for a private sector role. Additionally, Assistant Attorney General Sara Quigley will become Chief of Staff, filling a position that has been vacant since late last year.
The leadership transitions are effective from January 24, 2025. Attorney General Platkin commended Ferketic's service, stating, “Steve Ferketic is a dedicated public servant whose contributions to modernizing the Division of Criminal Justice cannot be understated and will pay dividends for years to come.”
Ferketic has led DCJ since August 2023, overseeing initiatives such as the creation of a Major Threats Bureau and increasing efforts against child sexual abuse, which resulted in over 300 arrests statewide in 2024.
Hilton returns full-time to DCJ after serving as Acting Mercer County Prosecutor. Her previous roles include Assistant Prosecutor at Union County and Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve. She expressed her commitment to her new role by saying, “I’m honored that Attorney General Platkin has asked me to take on this new role at the Division of Criminal Justice.”
Quigley brings experience from her time as Senior Counsel focusing on firearms safety and criminal justice policy initiatives. “Sara Quigley has been a valued, dedicated voice in advancing groundbreaking firearms safety policy,” said Attorney General Platkin.
Additional appointments include Shankar Duraiswamy as Deputy Solicitor General and Claudia Joy Demitro joining as Senior Counsel to the Attorney General.
Aaron E. Haier joined as Senior Counsel with a background in commercial litigation, while Michael Zhadanovsky takes on the role of Deputy Director of Communications.
These appointments aim to strengthen the department's leadership team and enhance its capacity to address key public safety issues across New Jersey.
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