Vermont's New Prosecutor: Bram Kranichfeld Steps In as Franklin County's Interim Attorney

In an official announcement on Monday, Vermont Governor Phil Scott revealed his choice for the interim state's attorney in Franklin County. The decision came in the wake of the resignation of the former prosecutor, who was embroiled in an impeachment inquiry.

Bram Kranichfeld Takes the Helm

Governor Scott's pick for the crucial role of interim county prosecutor is Bram Kranichfeld. Kranichfeld will temporarily hold this position until a permanent appointment is made.

Kranichfeld's Background

Bram Kranichfeld previously held the position of head of the criminal division at the Vermont Attorney General's office from 2018 to 2019. Before that, he served in the Chittenden County state's attorney's office, initially as deputy state's attorney and later as chief deputy, according to Governor Scott.

Replacing the Departed Prosecutor

Kranichfeld steps into the shoes of the former Franklin County State's Attorney, John Lavoie, who had faced accusations of harassment and discrimination against employees.

Impeachment Inquiry Initiated

Back in May, Vermont lawmakers established a special House committee tasked with investigating whether to impeach Lavoie due to the allegations against him. Acknowledging some instances of inappropriate humor, Lavoie announced his resignation last month.

Impeachment Inquiry Conclusion

The special committee concluded its impeachment inquiry into Lavoie following his resignation. However, it is now proceeding with a separate impeachment inquiry involving a sheriff, focusing on unrelated misconduct allegations, including an incident in which the sheriff allegedly kicked a shackled inmate.

This transition marks a significant development in Vermont's legal landscape, as the state seeks to address issues of misconduct and uphold the integrity of its legal institutions.