
Cicero Resigns as Pennsylvania Consumer Advocate
Alleges in resignation letter that utility company pressures led to removal
Alleges in resignation letter that utility company pressures led to removal
Attorney General-elect Dave Sunday announced that State Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero has submitted a letter indicating his intent to resign from the post effective January 31.
“Over the course of the last several weeks, I have had the great privilege of meeting with department heads throughout the Office of Attorney General to learn about their department and explain my process for transitioning into the office,” said Sunday in a press release. “I have been grateful for the open flow of information from the dedicated public servants in the Attorney General’s office. During these meetings, I explain how I plan to move forward once I’m sworn in to office, which includes the consideration of any interested employee in the interview process for positions under the discretion of the Attorney General.
“Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with the current Consumer Advocate, Patrick Cicero, and explained this process. Mr. Cicero sent a letter indicating his intention to not participate in that process and announced his resignation effective January 31st. I wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Cicero’s version was different from that of the incoming AG.
In his resignation letter that was obtained by WESA, Cicero wrote “I had hoped to remain in my position and continue to serve the people of Pennsylvania despite the open, vocal, and public campaign led by various investor-owned utilities to seek my removal.”
The Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) is a state agency that represents the interests of Pennsylvania utility consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts. The OCA was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1976 and is an independent office within the Office of Attorney General.
Cicero was appointed the Acting Consumer Advocate by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro on December 13, 2021 and nominated for the position on March 30, 2022.
His confirmation by the State Senate three months later was the first for a Consumer Advocate since 2012.
According to WESA, Cicero has made headlines over the last decade statewide for opposing for-profit water companies purchases of municipal utilities, arguing that these deals increase water bills for consumers. And that track record has spawned complaints among some utility operators.
An investor-focused publication, Northcoast Research, in October called Cicero’s office “a legitimate thorn in the side of investor-owned water utilities,” and noted he has “ruffled lots of feathers.”
“I commend Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero for his advocacy on behalf of everyone who pays a utility bill across the Commonwealth and for his work highlighting the importance of keeping municipal water authorities publicly owned,” said Sen. Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) in a statement. “I also want to thank him for his willingness to participate in my “Demystifying Harrisburg” series that informed residents about their rights as ratepayers and how to navigate Pennsylvania’s deregulated energy industry, which can lead to deceptive and confusing mailers and phone calls about switching energy companies. I hope the next Consumer Advocate is as mindful of the threat to Pennsylvanians’ right to safe and reliable utility service as Mr. Cicero.”
“I was disappointed to hear about Patrick Cicero’s resignation as the state Consumer Advocate, but I wanted to express my gratitude for his service to the commonwealth in that capacity,” said Sen. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin). “With his departure, Pennsylvania’s consumers and ratepayers are losing a tenacious advocate and a positive and effective voice in protecting ordinary people from financial abuses, fraud, deceptive business practices, and discrimination. Patrick has set the bar high for his successor, who will hopefully display the same energy as a champion for consumer rights and protections.”
“Having a capable, unbiased and apolitical Consumer Advocate is a priority for my administration in order to protect the interests of all consumers,” said Sunday. “Its work is vital to all Pennsylvanians, especially the most vulnerable among us. I look forward to an open and transparent process that includes feedback from all interested parties and individuals.”
Sunday, a Republican, won election to the Office of Attorney General in November, becoming the first Republican elected to that office since Tom Corbett who served as AG prior to being elected governor in 2010.
updated to include quote from Sen. Kim
Attorney General-elect Dave Sunday announced that State Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero has submitted a letter indicating his intent to resign from the post effective January 31.
“Over the course of the last several weeks, I have had the great privilege of meeting with department heads throughout the Office of Attorney General to learn about their department and explain my process for transitioning into the office,” said Sunday in a press release. “I have been grateful for the open flow of information from the dedicated public servants in the Attorney General’s office. During these meetings, I explain how I plan to move forward once I’m sworn in to office, which includes the consideration of any interested employee in the interview process for positions under the discretion of the Attorney General.
“Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with the current Consumer Advocate, Patrick Cicero, and explained this process. Mr. Cicero sent a letter indicating his intention to not participate in that process and announced his resignation effective January 31st. I wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Cicero’s version was different from that of the incoming AG.
In his resignation letter that was obtained by WESA, Cicero wrote “I had hoped to remain in my position and continue to serve the people of Pennsylvania despite the open, vocal, and public campaign led by various investor-owned utilities to seek my removal.”
The Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) is a state agency that represents the interests of Pennsylvania utility consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts. The OCA was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1976 and is an independent office within the Office of Attorney General.
Cicero was appointed the Acting Consumer Advocate by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro on December 13, 2021 and nominated for the position on March 30, 2022.
His confirmation by the State Senate three months later was the first for a Consumer Advocate since 2012.
According to WESA, Cicero has made headlines over the last decade statewide for opposing for-profit water companies purchases of municipal utilities, arguing that these deals increase water bills for consumers. And that track record has spawned complaints among some utility operators.
An investor-focused publication, Northcoast Research, in October called Cicero’s office “a legitimate thorn in the side of investor-owned water utilities,” and noted he has “ruffled lots of feathers.”
“I commend Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero for his advocacy on behalf of everyone who pays a utility bill across the Commonwealth and for his work highlighting the importance of keeping municipal water authorities publicly owned,” said Sen. Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) in a statement. “I also want to thank him for his willingness to participate in my “Demystifying Harrisburg” series that informed residents about their rights as ratepayers and how to navigate Pennsylvania’s deregulated energy industry, which can lead to deceptive and confusing mailers and phone calls about switching energy companies. I hope the next Consumer Advocate is as mindful of the threat to Pennsylvanians’ right to safe and reliable utility service as Mr. Cicero.”
“I was disappointed to hear about Patrick Cicero’s resignation as the state Consumer Advocate, but I wanted to express my gratitude for his service to the commonwealth in that capacity,” said Sen. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin). “With his departure, Pennsylvania’s consumers and ratepayers are losing a tenacious advocate and a positive and effective voice in protecting ordinary people from financial abuses, fraud, deceptive business practices, and discrimination. Patrick has set the bar high for his successor, who will hopefully display the same energy as a champion for consumer rights and protections.”
“Having a capable, unbiased and apolitical Consumer Advocate is a priority for my administration in order to protect the interests of all consumers,” said Sunday. “Its work is vital to all Pennsylvanians, especially the most vulnerable among us. I look forward to an open and transparent process that includes feedback from all interested parties and individuals.”
Sunday, a Republican, won election to the Office of Attorney General in November, becoming the first Republican elected to that office since Tom Corbett who served as AG prior to being elected governor in 2010.
updated to include quote from Sen. Kim
Attorney General-elect Dave Sunday announced that State Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero has submitted a letter indicating his intent to resign from the post effective January 31.
“Over the course of the last several weeks, I have had the great privilege of meeting with department heads throughout the Office of Attorney General to learn about their department and explain my process for transitioning into the office,” said Sunday in a press release. “I have been grateful for the open flow of information from the dedicated public servants in the Attorney General’s office. During these meetings, I explain how I plan to move forward once I’m sworn in to office, which includes the consideration of any interested employee in the interview process for positions under the discretion of the Attorney General.
“Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with the current Consumer Advocate, Patrick Cicero, and explained this process. Mr. Cicero sent a letter indicating his intention to not participate in that process and announced his resignation effective January 31st. I wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Cicero’s version was different from that of the incoming AG.
In his resignation letter that was obtained by WESA, Cicero wrote “I had hoped to remain in my position and continue to serve the people of Pennsylvania despite the open, vocal, and public campaign led by various investor-owned utilities to seek my removal.”
The Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) is a state agency that represents the interests of Pennsylvania utility consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts. The OCA was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1976 and is an independent office within the Office of Attorney General.
Cicero was appointed the Acting Consumer Advocate by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro on December 13, 2021 and nominated for the position on March 30, 2022.
His confirmation by the State Senate three months later was the first for a Consumer Advocate since 2012.
According to WESA, Cicero has made headlines over the last decade statewide for opposing for-profit water companies purchases of municipal utilities, arguing that these deals increase water bills for consumers. And that track record has spawned complaints among some utility operators.
An investor-focused publication, Northcoast Research, in October called Cicero’s office “a legitimate thorn in the side of investor-owned water utilities,” and noted he has “ruffled lots of feathers.”
“I commend Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero for his advocacy on behalf of everyone who pays a utility bill across the Commonwealth and for his work highlighting the importance of keeping municipal water authorities publicly owned,” said Sen. Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) in a statement. “I also want to thank him for his willingness to participate in my “Demystifying Harrisburg” series that informed residents about their rights as ratepayers and how to navigate Pennsylvania’s deregulated energy industry, which can lead to deceptive and confusing mailers and phone calls about switching energy companies. I hope the next Consumer Advocate is as mindful of the threat to Pennsylvanians’ right to safe and reliable utility service as Mr. Cicero.”
“I was disappointed to hear about Patrick Cicero’s resignation as the state Consumer Advocate, but I wanted to express my gratitude for his service to the commonwealth in that capacity,” said Sen. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin). “With his departure, Pennsylvania’s consumers and ratepayers are losing a tenacious advocate and a positive and effective voice in protecting ordinary people from financial abuses, fraud, deceptive business practices, and discrimination. Patrick has set the bar high for his successor, who will hopefully display the same energy as a champion for consumer rights and protections.”
“Having a capable, unbiased and apolitical Consumer Advocate is a priority for my administration in order to protect the interests of all consumers,” said Sunday. “Its work is vital to all Pennsylvanians, especially the most vulnerable among us. I look forward to an open and transparent process that includes feedback from all interested parties and individuals.”
Sunday, a Republican, won election to the Office of Attorney General in November, becoming the first Republican elected to that office since Tom Corbett who served as AG prior to being elected governor in 2010.
updated to include quote from Sen. Kim
Attorney General-elect Dave Sunday announced that State Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero has submitted a letter indicating his intent to resign from the post effective January 31.
“Over the course of the last several weeks, I have had the great privilege of meeting with department heads throughout the Office of Attorney General to learn about their department and explain my process for transitioning into the office,” said Sunday in a press release. “I have been grateful for the open flow of information from the dedicated public servants in the Attorney General’s office. During these meetings, I explain how I plan to move forward once I’m sworn in to office, which includes the consideration of any interested employee in the interview process for positions under the discretion of the Attorney General.
“Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with the current Consumer Advocate, Patrick Cicero, and explained this process. Mr. Cicero sent a letter indicating his intention to not participate in that process and announced his resignation effective January 31st. I wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Cicero’s version was different from that of the incoming AG.
In his resignation letter that was obtained by WESA, Cicero wrote “I had hoped to remain in my position and continue to serve the people of Pennsylvania despite the open, vocal, and public campaign led by various investor-owned utilities to seek my removal.”
The Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) is a state agency that represents the interests of Pennsylvania utility consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts. The OCA was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1976 and is an independent office within the Office of Attorney General.
Cicero was appointed the Acting Consumer Advocate by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro on December 13, 2021 and nominated for the position on March 30, 2022.
His confirmation by the State Senate three months later was the first for a Consumer Advocate since 2012.
According to WESA, Cicero has made headlines over the last decade statewide for opposing for-profit water companies purchases of municipal utilities, arguing that these deals increase water bills for consumers. And that track record has spawned complaints among some utility operators.
An investor-focused publication, Northcoast Research, in October called Cicero’s office “a legitimate thorn in the side of investor-owned water utilities,” and noted he has “ruffled lots of feathers.”
“I commend Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero for his advocacy on behalf of everyone who pays a utility bill across the Commonwealth and for his work highlighting the importance of keeping municipal water authorities publicly owned,” said Sen. Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) in a statement. “I also want to thank him for his willingness to participate in my “Demystifying Harrisburg” series that informed residents about their rights as ratepayers and how to navigate Pennsylvania’s deregulated energy industry, which can lead to deceptive and confusing mailers and phone calls about switching energy companies. I hope the next Consumer Advocate is as mindful of the threat to Pennsylvanians’ right to safe and reliable utility service as Mr. Cicero.”
“I was disappointed to hear about Patrick Cicero’s resignation as the state Consumer Advocate, but I wanted to express my gratitude for his service to the commonwealth in that capacity,” said Sen. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin). “With his departure, Pennsylvania’s consumers and ratepayers are losing a tenacious advocate and a positive and effective voice in protecting ordinary people from financial abuses, fraud, deceptive business practices, and discrimination. Patrick has set the bar high for his successor, who will hopefully display the same energy as a champion for consumer rights and protections.”
“Having a capable, unbiased and apolitical Consumer Advocate is a priority for my administration in order to protect the interests of all consumers,” said Sunday. “Its work is vital to all Pennsylvanians, especially the most vulnerable among us. I look forward to an open and transparent process that includes feedback from all interested parties and individuals.”
Sunday, a Republican, won election to the Office of Attorney General in November, becoming the first Republican elected to that office since Tom Corbett who served as AG prior to being elected governor in 2010.
updated to include quote from Sen. Kim
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