PA State Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor and possible PA Attorney General candidate Kat Copeland are our guest speakers.
The Fayette County Reagan Republicans next meeting will be Thursday September 28th at 7 PM at the Uniontown Hilton Garden Inn.
Read Tim and Kat's bios below, then come suppport them as well as our local leading Republican Candidates!
Timothy L. DeFoor's Background
Timothy L. DeFoor was sworn in as Pennsylvania's 50th Auditor General on January 19, 2021.
Tim started his career in public service as a Special Investigator with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Inspector General, where he investigated government and contractor fraud, waste, and abuse within state government. Tim then went on to become a Special Agent with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Attorney General, investigating Medicaid fraud and illegal prescription drug diversion. Later, he became a Fraud Investigator and Internal Auditor for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Health Plan and various federal contractors.
In 2015, Tim was elected as Dauphin County Controller, where he quickly earned a reputation as a fiscal watchdog and trusted leader, saving and recovering more than a million taxpayer dollars during his first term in office. He has also worked to create Dauphin County's first Audit Division, and prepared the first Dauphin County Retirement Fund Report.
To protect taxpayers, Tim also changed how Dauphin County reported its finances to a comprehensive, detailed, and transparent financial report. His efforts earned his office Dauphin County's first-ever award for financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.
With more than 25 years of combined experience in law enforcement and auditing, in both public service and private industries, Tim is uniquely qualified to serve Pennsylvania citizens.
Growing up in Harrisburg, Tim has always been committed to giving back to the community he loves. Tim currently serves on and is the former chair of the Harrisburg Area Community College Foundation Board of Directors, State YMCA of Pennsylvania Board of Directors, and the Chris "Handles" Franklin Foundation Board of Directors. Tim is also a member of the Greater Harrisburg Area NAACP and the Pennsylvania State Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #78.
Tim is also very passionate about financial literacy being taught to adults, educators, and Pennsylvania students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Tim has an Associate's of Arts degree in Para-Legal Studies from Harrisburg Area Community College, a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Sociology/History from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master's of Science degree in Project Management from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
Kat Copeland's Background
Katayoun “Kat” Copeland has served as a prosecutor for 30 years, during which time she rose through the ranks to be District Attorney of Delaware County and ultimately the Chief of the Criminal Division in the United States Attorney’s Office. She currently serves as an Assistant United States Attorney protecting our communities in the National Security Unit of the Department of Justice.
As District Attorney from January 2018 until January 2020, the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for Delaware County, Katayoun “Kat” Kat” Copeland Copeland was responsible for keeping Delaware County communities safe.
Kat Copeland Copeland Copeland ’s tenure in the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office began in 1992 as an Assistant District Attorney. Copeland was assigned to the office’s trial division and its drug task force. In 2000, she became the first woman to lead the Delaware County Drug Task Force Unit, overseeing the investigation and prosecution of drug dealers and gangs in Delaware County. Copeland was also named as the first leader of the Delaware County Criminal Terrorism Unit, where she coordinated with local, state, and federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute possible links to terrorism and national security concerns. During her career, Kat Copeland has been a leader in establishing Delaware County’s first drug treatment court and veteran’s treatment court to help non-violent offenders with drug and alcohol addiction and mental health problems to get treatment and reduce recidivism.
In 2011, Kat Copeland joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Copeland served as lead counsel in hundreds of investigations targeting terrorists, cybercriminals, international drug traffickers and other violent criminals. Kat Copeland also defended many convictions before the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Copeland ultimately rose to become Chief of the Criminal Division from 2020 to 2022, leading a department of 150+ prosecutors and staff working on national security, cybercrime, corruption, economic crimes, health care and government fraud, narcotics and organized crime, violent crime, child exploitation, appeals, and asset forfeiture. She currently serves in the National Security and Cybercrimes Unit, targeting terrorists who threaten our nation’s security.
Kat Copeland has been a frequent instructor for the Delaware County Municipal Police Academy, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the El Paso Intelligence Center training program. Copeland, in recognition of her ongoing dedication and commitment to public service and criminal justice has received various awards and recognition from numerous agencies including the Marple Township, Media Borough, and Upper Darby Township Police Departments, as well as the Pennsylvania State Police, Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division, Drug Enforcement Administration and a Special Achievement Award for the successful prosecution of a violent, large-scale Philadelphia drug trafficking gang from ATF.
Kat Copeland Copeland Copeland ’s Pennsylvania roots run deep. She was born in Upper Darby, Delaware County, attended the Baldwin School and graduated from Bryn Mawr College and Temple University’s Beasley School of Law.
The daughter of an Iranian mother and American father, Copeland spent part of her childhood overseas in Iran from 1973 to 1980. Her father was an employee of Westinghouse and after the Iranian Revolution he was arrested on espionage charges and became the first American put on trial in Iran’s Revolutionary Court.
Kat Copeland returned to Pennsylvania, while her mother returned to Iran to defend her father. Her time in Iran and the challenges her family faced, led Copeland on her career path as a prosecutor to make sure that those who are prosecuted are justly prosecuted and have a fair trial.
