PRESS RELEASE – (Feb. 25, 2022) – Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo announced today that he will not seek re-election to the Office of Anoka County Attorney and, after 45 years in the office, will retire at the end of 2022.
Palumbo began his service in October 1977 and has performed duties in all four of the Office’s legal divisions (Civil, Criminal, Family and Juvenile) as an Assistant County Attorney. He was elected County Attorney in 2010 and has served in that role since January 2011. He was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.
He has served as chair of the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council, which created a public safety data computer system to aid law enforcement, fire departments, emergency management and medical response providers. He is also the president of the Urban County Attorney’s Association.
During Palumbo’s tenure, the Anoka County Attorney’s Office launched initiatives combatting elder abuse, domestic violence and the opioid epidemic through community outreach, education, and specialized prosecution. Under Palumbo’s leadership, the office secured the county’s first veteran’s court grant and collaborated to create the county’s specialty drug court.
Though Palumbo is the elected leader of the Anoka County Attorney’s Office, he is quick to credit his staff and relationships with partner agencies for the office’s successes. A rise in serious crimes has been met with intense prosecution efforts and close collaboration with law enforcement. Thousands of children and families have been helped through child support collection or intervention during times of extreme crises. Crime victims have been helped by caring services rendered during the most emotional point of their lives. Recent years brought a significant modernization of the office’s investigative division, which uses state-of-the-art computer forensics to aid criminal investigations, solve white-collar crimes or resolve internal personnel issues. Attorneys in the office have guided the county through complex legal issues and law changes, and have successfully defended the county in several lawsuits.
Palumbo, a St. Paul native, has long been active in the community. His activism includes volunteering time and donating food (he’s a great cook!) to various charities. He has served on local foundation boards and currently represents the county on the Anoka-Ramsey Technical College Advisory committee, the Fogerty Arena board of directors, and the Veterans’ Service Council. He also has been an actor in several plays at the Lakeshore Players theater and the Landmark Center in St. Paul.
“I have been fortunate to have worked with, and been guided by, so many professional people in Anoka County throughout the years,” Palumbo said, in announcing his retirement. “The attorneys and the staff in this office have been exceptional in their performance and dedication. My years here have been a wonderful learning experience that has helped me serve the people of Anoka County. I’m so grateful for the privilege of serving as County Attorney.”
