CONTACTS:
Barbara Thompson, Cy Vance for DA, 917-453-8561; press@cyvanceforda.com
PUBLIC ADVOCATE BETSY GOTBAUM ENDORSES CY VANCE
FOR MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Citing His Experience on Both Sides of Criminal Justice System, Gotbaum Says Vance is the Right Choice to Run D.A.’s Office
First Citywide Elected Official to Endorse Any Candidate Running in a 2009 Primary
NEW YORK, NY, April 23, 2009 – Today Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum endorsed Cy Vance for Manhattan District Attorney. Gotbaum joined Vance at a press conference on the steps of City Hall to issue the endorsement – the first by a citywide elected official in the 2009 election cycle.
“Throughout his career as a distinguished trial lawyer, Cy has embodied the principles of fairness and integrity that have long been central to the Manhattan D.A.’s office. Because Cy has been both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, he has a unique understanding of how important it is to see criminal justice issues from all points of view. It is clear that Cy Vance is the most qualified candidate to build on Robert Morgenthau’s legacy,” Gotbaum said.
“As D.A., Cy would work tirelessly to protect our communities. His innovative plan to expand community-based justice would improve upon the recent dramatic improvement in public safety. Under the plan, Cy would partner his prosecutors with police, community groups, schools, housing associations, and other public and not-for-profit agencies. I strongly support this fresh idea, which would help communities break the cycle of crime. Cy’s plan for proactive engagement with the public show that he would be a champion of progressive ideals.
"Cy will be the kind of progressive D.A. that Manhattan needs – a lifelong opponent of the death penalty and supporter of the rights of women, LGBT people, and people of color. When Cy formed his own law firm, he and his partners took on a large class action case against the Boeing Corporation for gender discrimination – they were paying women less and refusing to promote them – and they won. That says a lot about his commitment to women’s rights. As District Attorney, Cy will continue to fight on behalf of women by aggressively prosecuting anyone who tries to intimidate women entering family planning clinics and making the protection of victims a priority in domestic violence and sexual abuse cases.
“Cy recognizes that one of the most important ways he can help New York families that are struggling to make ends meet is by fighting white-collar crime. The consequences of the economic crimes carried out on Wall Street are hitting home for all of us, and we have a difficult time ahead. We need a reformer like Cy who knows how to fight fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and other economic crimes that hurt everyone – small business owners, retirees, workers, consumers, colleges and not-for-profits that help those most in need. Cy has the right experience to tackle these complex problems.
“I’m looking forward to becoming more involved with Cy’s campaign. Everyone who cares about criminal justice and the safety of our city should be glad that a candidate as qualified as Cy Vance is able to build upon the Morgenthau legacy,” said Gotbaum.
Vance welcomed the Public Advocate’s support. He said, “I’m proud to have the endorsement of one of our city’s greatest public servants. Betsy has been a determined defender of civil rights for the people of New York, and it’s an honor to have her in my corner. On issues ranging from child abuse to women’s health to protecting consumers from fraud, she has been a strong advocate for fairness in the criminal justice system. I am grateful for her support, and I look forward to her involvement inour effort.”
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