Pennsylvania’s Attorney General is Dave Sunday, a Republican who took office on January 22, 2025. The Attorney General is the Commonwealth’s top law enforcement official, with authority that reaches across all 67 counties and responsibilities covering criminal prosecution, consumer protection, debt collection, and legal representation of state government.1PA Office of Attorney General. The Office Sunday succeeded acting Attorney General Michelle Henry, who had stepped in when Josh Shapiro left to become governor.
What the Office Does
The Attorney General’s responsibilities fall into a few distinct areas, and knowing which bucket your question falls into tells you whether this office can help.
Criminal Prosecution
The office prosecutes organized crime, public corruption, drug trafficking, and other cases with statewide reach. It typically steps in where a case crosses county lines, where a local district attorney has a conflict of interest, or where specialized expertise is needed, such as Medicaid fraud. The Attorney General does not replace your local DA for everyday criminal matters. The two offices are meant to complement each other, with the AG providing statewide coordination and independence from local politics when that is what a case requires.
Civil Litigation and Legal Advice
The office defends Pennsylvania laws when they are challenged in court, represents state agencies in lawsuits, and handles tax appeals on behalf of the Commonwealth.1PA Office of Attorney General. The Office It also advises the Governor and state agency heads on legal questions tied to their official duties. One point worth being clear about: the Attorney General represents the Commonwealth and its agencies, not individual citizens. If you need a lawyer for a personal legal problem, this office cannot take your case.
Consumer Protection
The Bureau of Consumer Protection, housed inside the Attorney General’s office, enforces laws against fraud, deceptive business practices, and scams targeting Pennsylvania residents.1PA Office of Attorney General. The Office This is the part of the office most individuals actually deal with. The bureau investigates complaints, pursues enforcement actions against businesses breaking the law, and works to recover money for people who have been cheated.
Debt and Tax Collection
The office collects debts and delinquent taxes owed to the Commonwealth, either through negotiation or litigation.1PA Office of Attorney General. The Office When a business or individual owes money to a state agency and the matter has not been resolved, it can eventually be referred to the Attorney General for collection.
How to File a Consumer Complaint
If you have been the target of a scam, deceptive advertising, or an unfair business practice in Pennsylvania, you can file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection. The office accepts complaints through an online form on its website, by email at BCPAdmin@attorneygeneral.gov, or by mail.2PA Office of Attorney General. Consumer Complaint
Before you file, gather copies of any contracts, receipts, billing statements, and written communications tied to your complaint. Send copies, not originals. The mailing address is Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 15th Floor, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120. The phone number is 717-787-3391.2PA Office of Attorney General. Consumer Complaint
Filing a complaint does not guarantee you individual relief. The office uses complaint data to spot patterns and build enforcement cases against repeat offenders, so a single filing may contribute to a broader investigation even when it does not resolve your particular dispute.
Who Dave Sunday Is
Sunday served in the U.S. Navy and was deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Strike before moving into prosecution. He joined the York County District Attorney’s Office as a deputy prosecutor in 2009, was promoted to senior deputy prosecutor the following year, and became York County’s District Attorney in 2018, holding that position until his inauguration as Attorney General.3York County District Attorney’s Office. David Sunday The U.S. Department of Justice also appointed him as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, where he worked on federal cases involving gang activity, illegal firearms, and drug trafficking.
His early priorities as Attorney General have centered on fentanyl trafficking, illegal firearms, organized retail crime, Medicaid fraud, and scams targeting seniors, including those driven by artificial intelligence.4PA Office of Attorney General. Attorney General David W. Sunday Inaugural Speech As Prepared
How the Attorney General Is Elected
Pennsylvania voters elect the Attorney General every four years during presidential election years. The term begins on the third Tuesday of January after the election, and the state constitution limits the Attorney General to two consecutive terms.5Ballotpedia. Attorney General of Pennsylvania Sunday won the November 2024 election with about 50.8% of the vote against Democrat Eugene DePasquale, a former Pennsylvania Auditor General.6Ballotpedia. Dave Sunday He is eligible to seek reelection in 2028 but cannot run for a third straight term.