June 12, 2014

GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION OF STATE VICTIM ADVOCATE GARVIN AMBROSE

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has received communication from Garvin G. Ambrose, the state's Victim Advocate, indicating his intention to resign from the position effective July 18, 2014.

Ambrose, who was the unanimous first-choice selection by the Victim Advocate Advisory Committee to fill the position, was appointed by the Governor in February 2013. He intends on relocating to his hometown of Chicago to accept a new professional opportunity.

"I want to thank Garvin for his service to the people of Connecticut," said Governor Malloy. "Working with criminal justice professionals, crime victims and advocates, Garvin and his staff have been strong voices in pursuing the interests of victims in their efforts to seek justice. I wish him well on whatever opportunity comes next."

Among his accomplishments during his tenure is the recent effort to effectuate the creation of the Governor's Victims' Rights Enforcement Advisory Commission, which places Connecticut at the forefront of the discussion on the enforcement of the constitutional and statutory rights of crime victims.

"While I am saddened by my personal decision to resign from this great office, I am confident that the successes of my wonderful staff and I over the past 15-months have once again made the Office of the Victim Advocate a relevant part of the state system on behalf of crime victims," Ambrose said. "It is my hope that the relationships that we repaired and gained, the policy and legislative victories that we attained, as well as the necessary rebranding of the Office of the Victim Advocate will continue in my absence."

Ambrose continued, "I would also like to personally thank Governor Malloy and his administration for their unwavering support of the OVA. From his efforts to increase the office's levels of budgetary appropriations to his recent creation of the Victims' Rights Enforcement Advisory Commission, Governor Malloy has remained a steadfast supporter of crime victims in this state."

The Victim Advocate Advisory Committee, the panel statutorily required to consider and interview candidates for the position of Victim Advocate and make recommendations to the Governor, will convene on Tuesday, June 17 at 4 p.m. to begin the process of evaluating potential replacements, according to the group's chairman, Office of Policy and Management Under Secretary of Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Mike Lawlor. The panel consists of seven members, who are each appointed by the Governor and a bipartisan group of six legislative leaders.

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For Immediate Release: June 12, 2014

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy