Blind Justice Announces Campaign Focused on New York DA Misconduct

Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Has "No Comment" About the Use of Hoover-Style Tactics to Prosecute Public Figures

Blind Justice, the first national nonprofit advocate dedicated to accountability and conviction integrity within the justice system, announces a campaign focused on bringing attention to potential misconduct in the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

"With the recent revelations of rampant domestic spying by the NSA and the questionable history of unlawful detentions and intimidation by New York area district attorneys, the public is weary of misconduct by those entrusted with our safety. The recent allegations that the Manhattan DA's office used prostitutes as undercover agents casts further doubt on the integrity of our justice system. District Attorney Cy Vance's response of 'no comment' is wholly inadequate and calls into question the role of the DA's office in these matters," said Branden Petersen, media spokesperson for Blind Justice.

This latest allegation of Hoover-style tactics is another in a string of violations of public trust by New York District Attorneys. In the last year, it was revealed that former Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes was running a private jail out of a hotel to illegally detain and question individuals to aid prosecution. A recent New York Times editorial described prosecutors in New York and across the country as engaged in "rampant prosecutorial misconduct."

"The public deserves answers to questions about this misconduct. New Yorkers are rightly suspicious of stonewalling by District Attorney Vance and expect honesty and transparency from his office. Illegal use of prostitutes as undercover agents is a serious issue, and should be taken seriously by District Attorney Vance," said Petersen.

Petersen also stated, "Blind Justice appreciates the work Governor Cuomo has done to clean up Albany, and now we call on him to appoint a special prosecutor to clean up the Manhattan DA's office."

About Blind Justice

Blind Justice is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(4) social welfare organization dedicated to educating the public on the importance of conviction integrity and advancing the commitment to conviction integrity in our justice system. For more information visit http://www.blind-justice.org.

For additional source comments and interviews, please contact Branden Petersen at [phone] or [e-mail].

Blind Justice
Branden Petersen, 202-276-4510
[e-mail]