Peter Verniero

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Peter Veniero is a former Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court and a former New Jersey Attorney General. He presently is an attorney in private practice in New Jersey

Veniero was an attorney in private practice and active in Republican politics, when he was appointed Chief Counsel to the Governor by Governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman in 1994. In this position he oversaw state authorities, legislation, executive orders, pardons, and judicial nominations for Whitman. In 1995, Veniero became Whitman's Chief of Staff.

In 1996, Whitman named Veniero as the Attorney General of New Jersey. In this position, he oversaw state criminal justice, legal affairs, gaming enforcement, consumer affairs, highway safety, the state police and professional regulation. As the attorney general serves a term concurrent to that of the governor, Whitman renominated Veniero in January of 1998 and he was confirmed a second time by the State Senate.

In 1999, Whitman appointed Veniero as a state supreme court justice, a nomination which was considered controversial given Veniero's background was mainly political than legal. In 2001, Veniero came under attack for statements he made to the New Jersey Senate during his confirmation hearings regarding racial profiling by the New Jersey State Police. Senators had said Veniero was not completly forthcoming regarding racial profiling during his tenure as attorney general. Veniero narrowly escaped being impeached by the New Jersey General Assembly.

Veniero was named to a seven year term as a Supreme Court Justice, expiring in 2006. Gov. James McGreevey had said he would not reappoint Veniero if he was governor in 2006. In 2004, Veneiro announced his decision to step down as a Justice in order to avoid a fight over any potential reappointment.

Preceded by Jane Shaw

Chief of Staff to the Governor of New Jersey 1995 – 1996

Succeeded by Harriett Derman

Preceded by Deborah T. Poritz

Attorney General of New Jersey 1996 – 1999

Succeeded by John Farmer Jr.

Attorneys General of New Jersey (Since 1947 State Constitution)
Parsons • Richman • Furman • Sills • Kugler • Hyland • Degnan • Zazzali • Kimmelman • Edwards • Perretti • Del Tufo • Poritz • Verniero • Farmer • Samson • Harvey • Farber • Rabner