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Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes loses out to bitter rival Kenneth Thompson Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes loses out to bitter rival Kenneth Thompson
(7 days later)
One of the longest-serving district attorneys in New York City history has lost his battle for re-election, beaten by a challenger in an acrimonious race tainted by allegations of cronyism, racism and selective prosecutions.One of the longest-serving district attorneys in New York City history has lost his battle for re-election, beaten by a challenger in an acrimonious race tainted by allegations of cronyism, racism and selective prosecutions.
Charles Hynes, the long-term incumbent, lost the Democratic nomination for Brooklyn district attorney to Kenneth Thompson, a lawyer best known for representing the maid in the sexual assault scandal involving former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Hynes, 78, has the support of the Republican party but said he will not run as a GOP candidate.Charles Hynes, the long-term incumbent, lost the Democratic nomination for Brooklyn district attorney to Kenneth Thompson, a lawyer best known for representing the maid in the sexual assault scandal involving former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Hynes, 78, has the support of the Republican party but said he will not run as a GOP candidate.
The race for control of one of the largest district attorneys offices in the country was mired in vicious mud-slinging, amid accusations reported by the Guardian of sexual abuse cover-up in the borough's ultra-Orthodix community.The race for control of one of the largest district attorneys offices in the country was mired in vicious mud-slinging, amid accusations reported by the Guardian of sexual abuse cover-up in the borough's ultra-Orthodix community.
Thompson, 47, a former federal prosecutor, was able to draw on criticism over Hynes' prosecution record – including his contentious handling of the sex abuse cases along with a forced review of more than 50 murder cases which relied on the problematic testimony of a retired NYPD detective – to portray his rival as out-of-touch.Thompson, 47, a former federal prosecutor, was able to draw on criticism over Hynes' prosecution record – including his contentious handling of the sex abuse cases along with a forced review of more than 50 murder cases which relied on the problematic testimony of a retired NYPD detective – to portray his rival as out-of-touch.
Last week, flyers appeared in Brooklyn portraying Hynes as a chicken set to be killed before Yom Kippur; competing ads in Jewish newspapers depicted Thompson as a snake. Both candidates denied they had anything to do with either ad.Last week, flyers appeared in Brooklyn portraying Hynes as a chicken set to be killed before Yom Kippur; competing ads in Jewish newspapers depicted Thompson as a snake. Both candidates denied they had anything to do with either ad.
Hynes was a tough-on-crime figure throughout his two decade tenure, but critics accused him of being pressured by rabbis who did not want sex abuse cases handled by secular authorities. He denies the allegations.Hynes was a tough-on-crime figure throughout his two decade tenure, but critics accused him of being pressured by rabbis who did not want sex abuse cases handled by secular authorities. He denies the allegations.
During the campaign, Hynes made several mis-steps in the media. He was forced to apologise after being quoted in one Jewish newspaper comparing the Orthodox community to the mafia. He told another Jewish newspaper that "the black community, by and large, is mine."During the campaign, Hynes made several mis-steps in the media. He was forced to apologise after being quoted in one Jewish newspaper comparing the Orthodox community to the mafia. He told another Jewish newspaper that "the black community, by and large, is mine."
Thompson, who is black, grew up in Brooklyn and became known for his work as an attorney on the Abner Louima case in 1997 as an assistant federal prosecutor. He aimed his campaign at black voters, speaking out against the NYPD's use of stop-and-frisk, in contrast to his rival.Thompson, who is black, grew up in Brooklyn and became known for his work as an attorney on the Abner Louima case in 1997 as an assistant federal prosecutor. He aimed his campaign at black voters, speaking out against the NYPD's use of stop-and-frisk, in contrast to his rival.
Hynes, in turn, criticised Thompson for his lack of experience and for the outcome of the Strauss-Kahn case. Prosecutors dropped the case over doubts over the credibility of the chamber maid, Nafissatou Diallo.Hynes, in turn, criticised Thompson for his lack of experience and for the outcome of the Strauss-Kahn case. Prosecutors dropped the case over doubts over the credibility of the chamber maid, Nafissatou Diallo.
With 99% of precincts reporting by Wednesday afternoon, Thompson had 55% of the vote. Hynes had previously secured the Republican party's ballot line for the general election, but his campaign manager, George Arzt, said on Wednesday that he will not continue campaigning, according to the New York Times.With 99% of precincts reporting by Wednesday afternoon, Thompson had 55% of the vote. Hynes had previously secured the Republican party's ballot line for the general election, but his campaign manager, George Arzt, said on Wednesday that he will not continue campaigning, according to the New York Times.
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