Governor Josh Shapiro’s tenure as Pennsylvania Attorney General has come under scrutiny due to his handling of the Ellen Greenberg case. The case involved the death investigation of Greenberg, a Philadelphia teacher who was stabbed 20 times, with 10 of those wounds in her back. Initially ruled a homicide, the local police disputed this conclusion, stating that it could not be murder as the door was locked from the inside and Greenberg’s fiancé, who found her, had no defensive wounds. Despite these red flags, the medical examiner eventually changed the determination to suicide, sparking outrage from many who questioned how someone could commit suicide in such a violent manner.
Conflict of Interest Allegations
In 2022, while still serving as Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, Shapiro’s office reaffirmed the suicide determination in the Greenberg case. However, there were murmurs of a potential conflict of interest due to Shapiro’s relationship with Greenberg’s fiancé’s family. As a result, the case was referred back to the Philadelphia District Attorney for further review. This raised concerns among the public and cast doubt on the integrity of the investigation conducted by Shapiro’s office.
Political Ramifications
The controversy surrounding Shapiro’s handling of the Greenberg case may have had wider implications for his political career. It has been suggested that his actions in this case played a role in him being overlooked for the Vice Presidential candidacy, with Kamala Harris ultimately choosing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz instead. Ellen Greenberg’s family has been vocal in their criticism of Shapiro, particularly her mother Sandra, who accused him of neglecting the case during his time as Attorney General. Additionally, reports of Shapiro’s office mishandling a sexual harassment allegation further tarnished his reputation and likely impacted his chances of securing the VP position.
The actions of Governor Josh Shapiro during his tenure as Pennsylvania Attorney General have sparked controversy and raised serious questions about his judgment and integrity. The mishandling of the Ellen Greenberg case, along with allegations of a conflict of interest and other misconduct, have damaged his reputation and may have cost him political opportunities. As Shapiro faces increasing scrutiny and backlash, it remains to be seen how this will impact his career and public perception in the long run.