Press Release

District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced the appointments of two executives who will assist in streamlining inter-office processes and enhancing public safety protocols within Queens County. Retired NYPD Assistant Chief Thomas Conforti has been appointed as Chief Investigator and veteran prosecutor Theresa M. Shanahan has been appointed as Executive Assistant District Attorney for Criminal Practice and Policy.

District Attorney Katz said, “Chief Conforti and EADA Shanahan have dedicated their entire careers to keeping people safe by investigating drivers of crime and seeking justice on behalf of victims. At the same time, they have each worked to improve policy development and protocol implementation to ensure better efficiency within their respective government agencies. I have no doubt that both set of skills will prove to be extremely beneficial to this Office. I look forward to working closely with Chief Conforti and EADA Shanahan on comprehensive policy and safety measures for the people of this borough.”

Chief Thomas Conforti is a 30-year veteran of the New York City Police Department and began his distinguished career with the 73rd Precinct in Brownsville. Throughout his time with the NYPD, Chief Conforti served as Commanding Officer at several Queens County precincts prior to being promoted to Inspector in 2016 and serving as Commanding Officer of the Crime Prevention Division. He was then assigned as Commanding Officer of the Office of the Chief of Detectives before receiving another promotion in 2019 to Assistant Chief, a two-star rank.

Most recently, he served as Commanding Officer of the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information and Commanding Officer of the Operations Bureau. A graduate of St. John’s University and John Jay College, Chief Conforti is now tasked with leading the Queens District Attorney’s Detectives Bureau. Members of the Bureau assist prosecutors in the investigation of cases ranging from gun trafficking, major economic crimes, domestic terrorism, fraudulent activity, and human trafficking, as well as the re-investigation of cases before the Conviction Integrity Unit.

EADA Theresa M. Shanahan is a Queens native who joined the Office of the Kings County District Attorney in August 1990. Since January 1995, she served in management roles in that office, beginning as Deputy Chief of the Early Case Assessment Bureau. She later served as Chief of that bureau, as well as First Deputy Chief of both the Investigations Bureau and the Blue Zone Trial Bureau.  Ms. Shanahan served on several committees within the Office of the Kings County District Attorney, including those relating to development of discovery policies, hiring, and the implementation of a new case management system.

A graduate of Saint Vincent College and the St. John’s University School of Law, Executive ADA Shanahan is now tasked with leading the Queens District Attorney’s Criminal Practice and Policy Division. This Division consists of the Intake and Assessments Bureau, the Criminal Court Bureau, and the Rehabilitation Programs and Restorative Services Bureau, which includes the Diversion and Alternative Sentencing Unit and the Crime Victims Advocate Program.

Chief Conforti and EADA Shanahan join the Executive Staff for the Queens District Attorney, which also includes Chief ADA Jennifer Naiburg, Chief of Staff Camille Chin-Kee-Fatt, Counsel to the DA John Castellano, Counsel to the Chief ADA Vincent Carroll, EADA of Community Partnerships Colleen Babb, EADA of Investigations Gerard Brave, EADA of Major Crimes Daniel Saunders, EADA of Appeals & Special Litigations Johnnette Traill, and EADA of the Supreme Court Trial Pishoy Yacoub.