NY Observer > Robert Morgenthau

Morgenthau Challenger Gets an Early Start

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:05:25 -0400

It's eleven months before the 2009 elections and Manhattan district attorney candidate Leslie Crocker Snyder is rolling out her endorsements.

At a press conference this afternoon on the City Hall steps, Crocker was joined by unions representing law enforcement groups that are endorsing her candidacy. The groups are:

NYC Detectives’ Endowment Association
NYPD Captains Endowment Association
NYPD Lieutenants Benevolent Association
NYPD Hispanic Society
Policewomen's Endowment Association
New York State Court Officers Association
New York State Supreme Court Officers Association
New York State Court Clerks AssociationMetropolitan Transportation Authority PBA
Port Authority DEA
Port Authority PBA
Port Authority SBA.

Crocker is trying, again, to unseat Manhattan D.A. Robert Morgenthau, who will be 90 years old next year. He said he's running for re-election, but if he doesn't, attorney Cyrus Vance said he'll enter the race.

Vance Still Raising Money for Just-In-Case D.A. Campaign

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:51:15 -0400

Manhattan District Attorney candidate Cyrus Vance is having a fund-raiser at Caroline’s comedy club tonight. (How many jokes about A-Rod and divorce lawyers can you fit into one night?)

Vance has already hired Bill Lynch Associates and Cindy Darrison for his campaign, but maintains that he’ll only run if Morgenthau does not seek reelection. Also looking to run for the seat is Morgenthau's 2005 opponent, Leslie Crocker Snyder.

Potential Manhattan D.A. Candidate Raises Money

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:56:47 -0400

Here's the invitation to Monday's fund-raiser for possible Manhattan District Attorney candidate Cyrus Vance, Jr.

The event, which was reported by Crain's Insider, is being organized by Linda Fairstein, a former aide to the current Manhattan D.A., Robert Morgenthau. read more »

Darrison Working for Potential Manhattan D.A. Candidate

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:21:12 -0400

Former Eliot Spitzer fund-raiser Cindy Darrison, who recently was hired to help David Paterson, is working with another candidate in a potentially high-profile race for Manhattan district attorney.

If the seemingly unstoppable 89-year-old Robert Morgenthau decides not to run for reelection, Cyrus Vance, a Manhattan attorney, might. read more »

Corruption at The Docks! Turner Construction Exec Admits Extortion

Eliot Brown — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:56:29 -0500

An executive at Turner Construction Co., one of the world’s largest construction companies, has admitted to extorting subcontractors on city-funded waterfront projects into sprucing up his home heating system, according to Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau.

George Pauliny, who was a vice president at Turner, asked a subcontractor to install for free a new boiler and a heating system in his driveway, threatening not to include subcontractors as part of the development of Manhattan’s Pier 88 and Brooklyn’s Passenger Ship Terminal in Red Hook, according to Mr. Morgenthau’s office. Mr. Pauliny pleaded guilty to extortion and grand larceny today, for which he will be terminated from his job at Turner (he’s been suspended since last year) and must pay the subcontractors about $10,000 in restitution. read more »

Scenes from the A.B.N.Y. Breakfast

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:19:50 -0500

This morning at a breakfast held by the Association for a Better New York in Midtown I ran into Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and I asked the D.A. if he watched last night's Democratic debate.

Morgenthau waved his hand disapprovingly and said, "No--It's too much already."

Seating Charts: Morgenthau at Balthazar

Tom McGeveran — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:27:34 -0500

Our friend and sister-wife (via Observer blog The Media Mob) John Koblin was out in Soho last night and files this report:

At a little after 8 p.m. last night, the 88-year old Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau strolled into Balthazar.

If you tried to get a table at that time you were told there was a 90-minute wait. But not Mr. Morgenthau, who model-stomped deliberately up to the hostess stand and flashed open his wallet to show his ID. He was immediately ushered to a table. read more »

From Our Inbox

Steve Kornacki — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:14:48 -0500

* Pictured above is Councilman James Gennaro with Josh Tickell, the producer and star of “Field of Fuel,” a documentary about foreign oil dependence that has been selected for the Sundance Film Festival. As Gennaro’s press release puts it, “The film also features a variety of people, including Woody Harrelson, Julia Roberts and Councilman James F. Gennaro, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection.”

* Councilman Simcha Felder will hold the second of two kick-off fundraisers for his bid for comptroller in Queens this Thursday. The suggested donation is $18, perhaps an effort to draw a contrast with rival David Yassky, who asked supporters for $500 at his kick-off. Felder’s first event was in Brooklyn on Monday night. read more »

Downtown Restaurateur Cops To Tax Rap

Chris Shott — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:38:47 -0500

Tribeca seafood restaurant Fresh "doesn't get enough attention," according to the latest Zagat Survey.

Its owner, Eric Tevrow, though, has attracted plenty -- albeit not the favorable kind.

Mr. Tevrow, who also owned the now-shuttered downtown eateries Coast and Shore, pleaded guilty on Monday to stealing sales taxes collected from all three restaurants.

According to the Manhattan District Attorney's office this afternoon: read more »

James Ortenzio Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:36:21 -0500

The former Manhattan Republican Chairman James Ortenzio just pleaded guilty to tax evasion, according to the Manhattan District Attorney.

From a press release that just went out: read more »