PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

November 29, 2004

Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150

District Attorney Donovan Swears-In Experienced Prosecutor to Criminal Court Staff

***Alex Shapiro, 31, a native of Wisconsin, Joins District Attorney’s Office***

STATEN ISLAND, NY- In the Office of the Richmond County District Attorney, a ceremony was held to formally swear-in Alexander B. Shapiro, 31, a native of Madison, Wisconsin to his position as Richmond County Assistant District Attorney (ADA). The oath was administered by District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. and witnessed by Richmond County Clerk Stephen J. Fiala.

“I am honored to welcome Alex Shapiro, an experienced prosecutor, to join the talented team at my Criminal Court Bureau,” stated District Attorney Donovan in announcing the seventh ADA to join his staff since taking office in January. “This community, and my office, will be well served by Alex’s education, strong experience and dedication to public service.”

"I am thrilled that District Attorney Donovan has provided me with this opportunity to serve the people of Staten Island,” stated Assistant District Attorney Shapiro. “I love working as a prosecutor and I couldn't be happier to do so in this community."

After obtaining a B.A. in Government from Wesleyan University, Mr. Shapiro earned a Juris Doctorate from the New York University School of Law in May 1999. While at NYU, conducted death penalty research as a Furman Fellow and served as Staff Editor for the NYU Environmental Law Journal. He has been admitted to the bar in New York, Wisconsin and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

An experienced attorney with three years of prosecutorial experience, Mr. Shapiro is joining the

Office of the District Attorney from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island’s (Saipan) Attorney General’s Office where he served as an Assistant Attorney General. As an Assistant Attorney General, he was responsible for prosecuting a wide caseload involving charges of child sexual and physical abuse and sexual assault.

Prior to joining the Attorney General’s office, Mr. Shapiro was a Judicial Clerk for the Commonwealth’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Miguel Demapan and also served for 2 years a Special Prosecutor in the Dane County (Madison, WI) District Attorney’s Office.

Alexander Shapiro will be paid $42,500 in his position.