Cy Vance

Former NYPD Officer Nicholas Mina Headed To The Hoosegow For Selling Guns To Drug Dealers

A former NYPD officer who pleaded guilty last month to charges that he stole several NYPD-issued firearms from fellow officers and sold them to a Queens drug kingpin was in court today, where he was sentenced to 15-and-a-half years in prison.Additionally, former Officer Nicholas Mina -- who claims h ... More >>

Is Case Against Alleged Etan Patz Killer As Un-Winnable As It Seems?

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office yesterday announced that a grand jury has returned an indictment charging 51-year-old Pedro Hernandez with the 1979 murder of 6-year-old Etan Patz.Authorities won't say much about the case, but it appears to be based on little more than Hernandez's confession ... More >>

Former NYPD Officer Nicholas Mina Cops Plea; Admits To Stealing NYPD Guns And Selling Them To Drug Dealers

A former NYPD officer admitted in court today that he stole several NYPD-issued firearms from fellow officers and sold them to a Queens drug kingpin over a six-month period earlier this year.The plea deal accepted by former officer Nicholas Mina, 32, includes a 15-year-prison sentence when he's sent ... More >>

In Manhattan, Sexual Assault Is (Un)Officially A Worse Crime Than Murder

We hate to say it, but if you're planning on violently sexually assaulting another human being, you'd be better off murdering them first.Not that we condone violently sexually assaulting or murdering anyone, but in Manhattan, the punishment for murder is often less severe than the punishment for pre ... More >>

Etan Patz Murder: A Tip Of The Cap To Manhattan D.A. Cy Vance

More than 30 years after the disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz, it seems authorities finally have their man -- and props must go out to Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance for his decision to reopen a case that sat cold for more than three decades.Vance didn't crack the case, nor did he lead po ... More >>

Etan Patz Murder: Suspect Pedro Hernandez Says He'd "Done Something Bad And Killed A Child"

The video above (compliments of NBC New York) is of a press conference held by NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly regarding the arrest of a suspect in the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz.The suspect has been identified as Pedro Hernandez, 51, who was arrested yesterday in Camden, New Jersey. Kel ... More >>

One Year Later, Miguel Padilla Sentenced for East Harlem Shooting of 13-Year-Old

On New Year's Day in 2011, Miguel Padilla shot a semiautomatic pistol several times at a Chevy Impala following a dispute over a parking space. The shots did not strike the victim, but instead hit a 13-year-old boy who was a passenger in a nearby minivan. The gunshots shattered the rear window of th ... More >>

Dominique Strauss-Kahn Released Without Bail

​Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been released without bail after the Manhattan D.A.'s office uncovered what are being called serious credibility issues with his accuser, a maid at the Sofitel who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her in a room at the hotel six weeks ago. He denies the allegat ... More >>

Bloomberg's Million-Dollar Ripoff

The mayor's 'crime'

Eric Schneiderman Blasts His AG Candidate Counterpart, Kathleen Rice, Over a Tiny Uptick in Crime?

Eric Schneiderman​The ongoing war of words between State Senator Eric Schneiderman and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, two of the top candidates for New York Attorney General, is at least novel. Does anyone really think a DA should be blamed, as Schneiderman has Rice, if crime g ... More >>

Andrea Peyser: Cy Vance is a Pussy

​Cy Vance has been Manhattan D.A. for three months now, and he hasn't dragged any mobsters to jail with one hand while waving an American flag with the other, so the Post's Andrea Peyser thinks he's a pussy. "Folks inside and outside 1 Hogan Place can't help but wonder if he's up to the job," ... More >>

Richard Aborn, Former D.A. Candidate, Wants NYPD Crime Audit Figures Released, Checked

​The controversy over NYPD crime statistics, in which some experts assert that many crimes have been downgraded in police reports to keep up appearances (which is disputed by others, including NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly), has been stirred up further by a former candidate for Manhattan D.A. R ... More >>

Mayor Mike Bloomberg: A Blizzard of 20 Voice Stories by Wayne Barrett and Tom Robbins

It's snowing, you're trapped at home or office or somewhere in between, but you still have the Web, so check out these 20 selected stories on New York City's billionaire mayor, Mike Bloomberg, by two relentless reporters, Tom Robbins and Wayne Barrett: Meet the New NYC Fire Commish, Salvatore Cassa ... More >>

Robert Morgenthau, Former DA, Joins Wachtell, Lipton Law Firm

Congratulations to Robert Morgenthau, who has joined the prestigious law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz at the age of 90. Wachtell Lipton was one of the sponsors of the Annual Vera Institute of Justice Benefit at which Morgenthau was the guest of honor this year. The firm specializes in cor ... More >>

Liquor Store Bursar Fraud Case Sprinkles Glory on NYU, City

​The dailies are covering the story of John Runowicz, a former NYU employee who allegedly bilked the university out of $409,000 by submitting bogus receipts for reimbursement. According to the Post, the Daily News, and the Times, Runowicz did so by dumpster-diving at Warehouse Wines & Spirit ... More >>

Morgy's Parting $268M Gift Gets Another Shrug From City Hall

Exiting with class, something Bloomberg was unable to do.​Outgoing Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau gave New Yorkers a $268 million present yesterday -- their share of a huge, $536 million deal reached with a very rich Swiss bank that admitted having illegally routed Iranian funds through the U. ... More >>

Election Night: Snyder to Supporters -- I'm Out of Politics and Off to China!

Leslie Crocker Snyder entered what could have been her victory party in the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel at 10:42 p.m. to cries of "We Love You, Leslie." Looking worn-out, she went to a podium to make her speech. After thanking supporters, her husband, her grandchildren, her law firm colleagues ... More >>

D.A. Candidates Grabbed Big Bucks in Last Days of Campaign

In the past week, the Manhattan D.A. candidates really worked the pockets of big contributors, Board of Elections 24-hour reports reveal. Leslie Crocker Snyder reports $139,950 in donations since last Tuesday, much of it from lawyers like Bernie Goetz defender Barry Slotnick and Lawrence S. Goldman. ... More >>

Primary Results: Vance In; Comptroller and P.A. Go to Runoffs; Council Incumbents Suffer; Rose Romps in Staten Island

Primary Day led to expected results, for the most part. For the Democratic mayoral nomination, Thompson romped, 70 to 21 percent, over Tony Avella. (Also someone named Roland Rogers got eight percent. Clearly a name to watch!) With no comptroller candidate making the 40 percent mark, John Liu and Da ... More >>

Primary Culler: Snyder and Vance Spar in Manhattan D.A. Race; Might Aborn Be the Odd Man In?

​The Manhattan D.A. primary race is a big deal; for the first time since 1975, Robert Morgenthau is not in it, and the three contenders are sprinting hard for the finish line: Richard Aborn brought back former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton and a chainsaw attack victim for his "closing argum ... More >>

Barrett: More Unsavory Characters on Snyder's Campaign Money List

​Yesterday, Wayne Barrett began to uncover the unsavory characters who have helped fuel Leslie Crocker Snyder's campaign to be the next Manhattan District Attorney. Now, in part two, Barrett continues that list, focusing this time on political conservatives who are backing Snyder... Richard G ... More >>

Snyder Attack Ads Cost Her a Backer

Leslie Crocker Snyder's no-holds-barred attack ads on rival Cy Vance Jr. for serving as attorney for "murderers, mobsters and white collar criminals" are backfiring - at least among some lawyers. Snyder lost one of her most prominent backers this afternoon when veteran defense lawyer Michael F. ... More >>

Aborn Winning Race for Most Interesting Endorsements

He may not have a serious chance of winning, but, as the heated Manhattan District Attorney's race charges to a close, we've got to hand it to candidate Richard Aborn for racking up some interesting endorsements throughout the campaign. Today, in what he's billing as a closing argument, Aborn will i ... More >>

Barrett: Leslie Crocker Snyder's Unsavory Campaign Donors

​Judging people by the company they keep may not always be fair game, but it is fitting, on the eve of next week's primary, to take the measure of Leslie Crocker Snyder by examining the dubious donors bankrolling her campaign for Manhattan District Attorney. News stories about bad-boy contrib ... More >>

History Lessons in the D.A.'s Race: Leslie Crocker Snyder's Back Pages

Endorsement Fever! Thompson Gets a Paper, Aborn Gets Gay City, Skaller Gets Animal Activists

​September? How'd that happen? The local political endorsements are flying thick and fast, as are emails from operatives desiring they be publicized. Today Bill Thompson got his first newspaper endorsement -- from the Amsterdam News. Ha! Bloomberg's got two dozen of those, and the Voice is c ... More >>

Alleged Eliot Spitzer Comeback Run Supersoaks Local News

Eliot Spitzer's alleged plans to run for office -- which notion is denied by the former Governor and supported only by anonymous sources -- continues somehow to be news. The New York Post, which broke the "story," harasses Spitzer at his home, where he says "The only thing I'm running for is my cab ... More >>

Local Races: Would-be D.A.s Debate Plaxico, Comptroller Vols Dish, Buscemi Speaks

​NY1 hosted a Manhattan D.A. candidates' debate last night, and sports fans will be interested to know they addressed the issue of Plaxico Burress, who was hounded into prison by Mayor Bloomberg. Cy Vance found the Mayor's comments "unnecessary," Richard Aborn defended them, and Leslie Crocker ... More >>

Spitzer "Considering Run for Office," Say Unnamed Sources on Slow News Day

We were at first delighted to hear from the New York Post that Eliot Spitzer "is considering a run for statewide office next year" -- not because we particularly like him, but because that would be hilarious. The Post story, which suggests his target is bulletproof Senator Kirsten Gillibrand rathe ... More >>

Manhattan D.A. Race: Aborn Sweeps The Nation, Vance and Crocker-Snyder Hit Car Crimes

​The Manhattan D.A.'s race looks tight and the contenders are burning rubber to the September 15 primary. Richard Aborn's campaign is bragging on an endorsement from The Nation. Yes, that Nation, the venerable liberal magazine. Katrina Vander Heuvel says this race presents "a unique opportun ... More >>

D.A. Candidates Keeping Busy, Here and at Martha's Vineyard

​After we noted yesterday some gay-friendly endorsements in the Manhattan D.A.'s race, the office of candidate Leslie Crocker-Snyderr (pictured) notified us that she'd just received the backing of bigtime gay activist and writer David Mixner, who says she "has by far the longest and best recor ... More >>

Cheek, in Review: 7 Days of Runnin' Scared

​ Museum of Natural History. Twitpic by ashelamb. The week was hot as hell -- which, a quick scan of our stories reveals, is an apt comparison. In a tribute to democracy, people with guns started following around President Obama. Busybodies were all over Michelle Obama's butt. Old peo ... More >>

Manhattan D.A. Candidates Scramble for Gay Support

​New York is so gay that even its law enforcement officials look for political support from the LGBT community. All three current candidates for Manhattan D.A. -- Richard Aborn, Leslie Crocker-Snyder, and Cy Vance, Jr.(pictured, center) -- sent us photos of themselves at the Pride Parade. Now ... More >>

Times Endorses Vance for D.A.; Contenders About Even in Cash on Hand

Cy Vance got a big boost in the Manhattan D.A.'s race from the New York Times, which has endorsed him as "an accomplished criminal and civil trial lawyer who offers balanced judgment and a commitment to criminal justice reform." They like his "Conviction Integrity Panel" idea, a sort of internal af ... More >>

Nadler, Citing Progressivism, Endorses Aborn

One of the charming distinctions of this jurisdiction is, in contrast to redneck climes, we insist on liberal credentials even in our law enforcement officers. Congressman Jerry Nadler has endorsed Richard Aborn for Manhattan D.A., in large part, it would appear, because Aborn carries the progressiv ... More >>

Cy Vance-Spitzer Fundraiser, Seen to "Overshadow" Issues, Cancelled (Updated)

​We thought this was a great idea: a Cy Vance fundraiser hosted by Eliot Spitzer. What synergy! The Manhattan D.A. candidate has a famous name, albeit mostly thanks to his father, the former Secretary of State; so does Spitzer, for various reasons. Alas, it not to be: the event, scheduled fo ... More >>

On the Stump: Citywide Candidates' Latest Doings

​Damn, August already -- and we haven't paid our rent or looked at the local candidates much besides the mayoral prospects. Here's a fast look at what contenders for three big spots have been up to lately: Manhattan D.A.: Richard Aborn appeared with former NYPD Commissioner and current LAPD C ... More >>

Pride Happens

Twitpic by maisonmurray. Twitpic by kimandel. "Weather was perfect, crowds were huge, colourful, friendly and very noisy," says Daisy Root. "The pavements were five or six deep down 5th Avenue..." Sounds like business as usual for the Pride Parade and its many constituent groups, including th ... More >>

Oh, All Right: Richard Aborn at Pride

Manhattan D.A. Candidate Richard Aborn's people must have noticed that we had a photo of Cy Vance at the Pride Parade, so they sent us this. We don't want to lose our hard-won reputation for objectivity, so here he is (the tall drink o' water in the middle) with some of his supporters from Glad & ... More >>

Leslie Crocker Snyder Comes Through with Pride Pix

First we got Cy Vance's Pride Parade pictures. Then Richard Aborn sent some. We teased Leslie Crocker Snyder's campaign about her absence from our Pride photo spreads. And guess what? The Voice gets results! Here she is marching down Fifth Avenue with assemblyman Micah Kellner and her supporters ... More >>

Cheek, in Review: 7 Days of Runnin' Scared

Twitpic by moises. The spectre of death stalked the nation. We were all shocked by the death of a great American musician: Sky Saxon. Also, Michael Jackson. We looked at his fans, press reactions, his good works and his weird headlines. And let's not forget Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon. Presid ... More >>

Morgenthau to Endorse Cy Vance Jr. for D.A. Today

As we've mentioned, the Manhattan D.A.'s race has gone into full swing, and the Democratic candidates have been busy gathering endorsements. Leslie Crocker Snyder recently netted former Mayor Ed Koch, among others; Cy Vance, Jr. got former Mayor Dinkins, and recently drew out political retiree Caro ... More >>

D.A. Candidate Aborn is Seven Up

Seven additional Manhattan elected officials declared themselves this morning for Richard Aborn, the anti-gun advocate whose dark-horse campaign to succeed Robert Morgenthau as District Attorney is picking up momentum. The added backers brings Aborn's political endorsements to 14, by his count. So f ... More >>

How the Mob Hoodwinked D.A. Candidate Leslie Crocker Snyder

Hats In The Ring: Vance for D.A., Liu for Comptroller

A couple of candidates for local office are stepping up this week: Cyrus Vance Jr. -- aka Cy Vance -- is announcing for Manhattan D.A. at City Hall as we write. He is expected to face Dan Castleman and Lesley Crocker Snyder, who starts the battle early by telling the Post, "While I was in New York ... More >>