Janos Marton calls for resignation of Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance

For Immediate Release: January 21, 2020

Over the past week, I have been following very disturbing allegations about Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance’s handling of sexual assault cases involving Columbia University doctor Robert Hadden, including the courageous public statements of Evelyn Yang. Several survivors of Dr. Hadden’s sexual abuse have called for D.A. Vance’s resignation, including Marissa Hoechstetter, who first brought this story to light.

This morning, I am formally joining that demand and insisting that Cy Vance resign his position as Manhattan District Attorney.

Prosecutors often have to make difficult decisions in the interests of justice, sometimes accepting a plea to lesser charges in order to ensure a conviction. This is not one of those cases. Instead, Dr. Hadden’s case is the latest in a brazen pattern of preferential treatment to rich and powerful white men at the expense of victims they abused.

When a rich and powerful defendant is accused of a sex crime, or when the crime threatens to implicate a prominent local institution like Columbia University, D.A. Vance has repeatedly gone against survivors wishes, either declining prosecution or offering favorable plea deals to keep these cases away from newsworthy trials. He has also repeatedly disregarded the recommendations of the NYS Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders and, as in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, asked for reduced offender levels even when the State’s experts have urged that higher levels of supervision are necessary to protect the public. Ms. Yang’s statements also offers further credence that Mr. Vance or his senior staff continue to overrule the judgment of line prosecutors in these sensitive cases.

These cases are part of a troubling pattern in how D.A. Vance has handled sex crimes involving rich and powerful defendants, including Dominique Strauss-Khan, Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, and now Dr. Hadden. Compounding the apparent impropriety, many of these men were represented by defense attorneys who made campaign contributions to D.A. Vance prior to receiving favorable outcomes for their clients.

Whatever motive is actually underlying D.A. Vance’s actions in these cases, it clearly has nothing to do with protecting the public or promoting the healing of survivors. He has lost the sacred trust that comes with holding such important elected office.

I do not make this call for resignation lightly, and as a candidate challenging D.A.Vance, I expect such a demand to be scrutinized. However, I am following the lead of survivors directly impacted by these injustices, as well as other community leaders. There are many capable prosecutors in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office ready to fill the position on an interim basis. The reputation of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office as an institution that can protect the public and enforce the law fairly will be diminished the longer D.A. Vance maintains his position. New leadership is required to restore our faith that the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office serve all New Yorkers, regardless of wealth, influence, or political donations.

Cy Vance should take the honorable step of resigning as Manhattan District Attorney.

Sincerely,

Janos Marton

Candidate for Manhattan District Attorney