PA Gaming Control Board Names Donaghue Chief Counsel

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today unanimously appointed Frank T. Donaghue, a 10-year veteran of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, as its first chief counsel.

“Frank has dedicated his career to protecting the people of Pennsylvania, and that is exactly what the Gaming Control Board’s top priority is as it brings expanded gaming to the Commonwealth,” Board Chairman Tad Decker said. “His appointment is a major step forward for the agency and for gaming in Pennsylvania.”

Donaghue has served as Chief Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General since 1999. The Bureau has seven regional offices and 20 attorneys, 40 agents and administrative personnel and handles more than 40,000 consumer complaints and about 150 legal actions each year.

Donaghue served as Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs in the Office of Attorney General from 1997 to 1999 and as Deputy Attorney General and Legislative Liaison in the Office of Attorney General from 1996 to 1997.

“I’m honored to join the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as Chief Counsel,” said Donaghue. “Expanded gaming is one of the largest economic-development projects in the history of Pennsylvania, one that must be implemented correctly. I’m looking forward to the hard work and challenges ahead.”

Donaghue earned his law degree from the Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He also served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Ronald D. Castille, Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Donaghue’s appointment, like that of all Gaming Control Board employees, is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation.