Robert Morris Morgenthau was born in 1919 in New York City into a prominent Jewish family that had emigrated from Germany in 1866. He is the son of long-time Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr. His grandfather Henry Morgenthau, Sr. was United States Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Before going into diplomatic service, Henry Morgenthau, Sr. had made a fortune in real estate and then became a strong financial backer of President Woodrow Wilson. From his earliest days, Robert Morris Morgenthau was well connected politically. The Morgenthau family home was near Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Springwood Estate at Hyde Park, New York and he grew up knowing Roosevelt.
Morgenthau was elected to the office of District Attorney of New York County in a special election in 1974 caused by the death of Frank Hogan, who had served as D.A. for more than thirty years. Morgenthau defeated Hogan's interim successor, Richard Kuh. He was elected to a full term in 1977 and has been re-elected seven times. He has not been opposed in a general election since
Notable Cases Mark David Chapman (1981): Chapman pled guilty to killing John Lennon* Bernie Goetz, the "Subway Vigilante" (1987): Charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and several gun law violations after he shot four men who were trying to rob him in 1984. * Robert Chambers, the "Preppie Killer" (1988): After confessing to killing an 18-year-old girl, Chambers was convicted of manslaughter and served 15 years in prison. *Central Park Jogger (1989): Five teenage suspects were convicted of assaulting and raping a woman in Central Park. The convictions were later vacated in 2002 when another man said he attacked the victim. * BCCI (1991): The fraud investigation revealed that the bank laundered money for criminal enterprises. Morgenthau claimed jurisdiction because millions of the laundered dollars flowed through Manhattan. Ultimately, the bank was seized by international regulators, and its liquidators pleaded guilty to all charges and forfeited all of the bank's American assets. * Sante and Kenny Kimes (2000): Mom-and-son grifters convicted of murder. * Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz (2005): The top two executives of Tyco were found guilty of stealing more than $150 million from the company they had been entrusted to manage.
Notable Assistant District Attorneys under Morgenthau Sonia Sotomayor (1979-1984): Current Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. *Andrew Cuomo (1984-1985): Current New York State Attorney General, and previously served as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton. *Lanny A. Breuer (1985-1989): Current head of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. *Eliot Spitzer (1986-1992): Former Governor and Attorney General of New York State. *John F. Kennedy Jr. (1989-1993): First son of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy. Former journalist, lawyer, pilot, and socialite. *Linda Fairstein (1976-2002): Former head of the sex crimes unit and current author of crime novels. *** Morgenthau Leaving as District Attorney in Trademark Style * Robert Morgenthau on Bloomberg's problem: "He didn’t like the idea that there was an independently elected district attorney that didn’t report to him.” *Morgenthau Looks Back On 34 Years As Manhattan DA*Morgenthau Reflective in Last News Conference* Cy Vance will have Marlene Turner serve as his special assistant. * Vance also announced the rest of his prosecutorial team.
NY Times Wimps Great Balls on Fire Now that the president said "We Blew It" the former paper of record comes up with an editorial that The System Failed. The Daily New, NY Post and almost every other paper in America understood from the Christmas day attack that our security system failed. On Planet Janet (NYP Ed) * Homeland insecurity: Secretary Janet Napolitano just doesn't get it * The System Needs Fixing - Eugene Robinson, Washington Post *** Protect us from Homeland Security ? Chicago Tribune Today's Daily News Editorial President Obama's initial reaction to recent terrorist act lacked urgency, decisive leadership' *** Obama Cites Intelligence Failures in Plot - Meyer, Nicholas & Semuels, LAT Janet A Long Way from the System Worked in 3 Day US Will Find & Fix System's Vulnerabilities - Janet Napolitano, USA Today *** Letting Down Our Guard - Michael Chertoff, The Daily Beast * Cheney: Obama pretends we're not at war * Obama Gets an 'F' for Protecting Americans - Toby Harnden, The Telegraph *** We Got Lucky - Chicago Tribune
"It's deja vu all over again." Yogi Berra
Number one finding of the 911 was failure to connect the dots
Last Month Somali arrested at airport with chemicals, syringe AP A person on a watch list is allowed to fly to the U.S. After purchasing a one way ticket with cash in Africa with no luggage and then tries to blow up a plane. The guy's own father warned the US Embassy about his son terrorism beliefs. The British bared him from coming into their county because he lied about attending a school that did not exist and yet he comes this close to executing a mini 9/11. The point of keeping a terrorist list is to use the list (sounds like a Seinfeld episode). Somebody in Homeland Security has got to take a hit for this.
Monserrate's High Noon Senate report slams 'cover-up' con Hiram cared more about the political fallout on the night he roughed up his girlfriend than about getting her to a doctor, his fellow senators found in a damning report yesterday *** State Senate Panel Faults Monserrate *** State Senate Panel Critical Of Monserrate *** Senate report blasts Monserrate *** State Senate Set to Spank Hiram Monserrate
Bronx Says No Deal Unless They Get Living Wage New laws set 'steed' limits New rules proposed yesterday by the Health Department would guarantee the hard-working central park horses five weeks of vacation a year, no work after 3 a.m., and nostrils that no longer have to endure secondhand smoke
No Recession in Campaign Bloomberg The mayor's team ran a campaign where the city's economy almost never came up. They had the help of a willing press and a poorly run campaign by Thompson and Avella. In the NY1 debate questions about the economy were never asked. They were able to run a campaign that promised more services. For that already well paid they we get bonuses. The press will get to stay in the Blue Room and Room 9. Mike's campaign bonus babies Despite the recession and an unexpectedly slim margin of victory, Mayor Bloomberg is paying out larger bonuses to campaign staffers this year than he did in 2005 *** Bloomberg’s Election Aides Said to Get Customary Bonuses (NYT) *** Bloomberg gives $1 million in bonuses to campaign staff
Tom Strikes Back Cuomo who is in the middle of comptroller scandal wants to end the NYS comptroller's sole responsibility for the pension funds. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli launches an audit of a branch of the Attorney General’s office — the first look at Andrew Cuomo’s administration by this Comptroller. (TU) *** NY's DiNapoli Says State's Cash to Hit All - Time Low * Silver Says Andrew Cuomo 'Senses His Opportunity' to Run For Governor
Breaking News Buildings evacuated as cops check van but no threat found *** Times Sq. given all clear after suspicious van reported
Inside City Hall Fate of Times Square pedestrian malls up in air *** Sharpton's Warning Don't mess with Charles Barron *** MAYOR BLOOMBERG APPOINTS CAROLE WALLACE POST AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS *** Bloomberg Promotes an Aide, Again DOIT *** Source: Liu Replacing Comptroller's Press Staff *** Bloomberg's message for the third term: "You can slip back very easily. Particularly during tough economic times." *** Newly-Elected Officials Ceremoniously Sworn In
New York Economic Melt Down NY state's owe woes Dealing with a decade of debt *** Billions to Fight Foreclosure, but Few New Loans *** Passengers get lift to casino by cash-strapped Access-A-Ride *** New York has over $60 billion in outstanding debt, which Nicole Gelinas thinks is too much *** Get the picture? Cable to cost you more *** If you love paying to drive on the Thruway, you’re going to love it 5 percent more starting Sunday. (GNS) *** Tavern on the Green bites the dust *** Security costs will top $75M in NYC terror trial *** Budget Cuts Reduce Number of New York State Troopers *** NY's general fund almost out of money
Pay to Play Bruno Team A member of the legislative ethics commission organized a fund-raiser for Joe Bruno's legal defense fund *** Joe Bruno's trial and conviction is the Times Union's #2 story of 2009.
Law and Order Craigslist 'attack' Man selling ring is Maced by mob thug: cops *** Snoozing guard did it before *** Guns-blazing jewelry heist *** $1.2M for wrong man *** Car-garage guard slain *** Cops clear cyclist in teen's snow-death mystery *** Witness sought in deadly arson *** After Turning Herself in, Girl Is Charged in Fatal Stabbing *** Shoplifters? Studies Say Keep an Eye on Workers *** Robber kills garage worker who couldn't open cash box *** NYPD sergeant, bringing in takeout, claims race lead to mistaken bust *** Murder most rare: The NYPD can take a bow for bringing crime down to historic lows *** ANOTHER SCANDAL: Rikers' Guard Had "Inappropriate Relationship" With Inmate *** Affidavit says DNA links NY man to 1986 Connecticut slaying *** Plea, $5M Payment Ends Probe into $1.8B NYC Deal
Triple Crown of Nonsense *NYRA's dubious track record (NYP Ed) ***NYRA's horse hockey: Racing association must not extort new bailout from taxpayers
More City NewsThe Vendor Disappears, Leaving a Void
More City NewsThe Vendor Disappears, Leaving a Void
Terrorism "We Blew It" O furious over botch in security *** Worried Yemeni minister warns of more Qaeda attacks *** Al Qaida Reportedly 'Groomed Mutallab In London' *** Terror Inquiry Looks at Suspect’s Time in Britain *** U.S. Had Early Signals of a Terror Plot, Officials Say *** US aware 'Nigerian prepared for terror attack' BBC *** Security beefed up at LaGuardia, Kennedy airports *** Red Flags Waved -- And Ignored - Ruth Marcus, Washington Post *** CIA also knew about suspect (Politico) *** Jihadism and the Cold War - Tim Rutten, Los Angeles Times *** A Failure to Communicate - Washington Post *** Carville, Dowd on Obama's Response *** Abdulmutallab Had Passport, Dutch Say CBS News *** Last Month Somali arrested at airport with chemicals, syringe AP *X-mas terrorist not first to use syring bomb - Somali man tried last month**Passenger On Terror Flight Speaks Out *** Abdulmutallab Recruited in London? Full Body Scans No uniformity for airport screeners puts Americans at risk*** Dutch airport to use full-body scan for US flights *** Debate Over Full-Body Scans vs. Invasion of Privacy Flares Anew After Incident *** Burton calls for Napolitano's scalp *** RAW DATA: Former Gitmo Detainees Who Returned to Terrorism FOXNews *** What Can We Learn From Flight 253? - M. Duffy & M. Thompson, Time *** Bomb Plot Exposed Lack of Intel "Urgency"CBS News *** Timeline of Terror: Clues in Bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's Past
White House O furious over botch in security *** U.S. Had Early Signals of a Terror Plot, Obama Says *** Obama Curbs Secrecy of Classified Documents *** As the Nation’s Pulse Races, Obama Can’t Seem to Find HisIn his usual inspiring/listless cycle, President Obama once more appeared chilly in his response to the chilling episode on Flight 253 (Dowd NYT) *** Obama shifts counterterrorism focus on Yemen *** Rudy's lesson for Barack (NYP Ed) *** Obama Cites Intelligence Failures in Plot - Meyer, Nicholas & Semuels, LAT *** Obama's Historic Health-Care Victory - Robert Dallek, Wall Street Journal *** Afghan War Policy Fractured - Tony Blankley, Washington Times *** A Big Double Standard for Obama - Joan Walsh, Salon *** Obama & Our Post-Modern Race Problem - Shelby Steele, Wall St. Journal *** Obama orders a sweeping expansion of the public’s access to formerly classified documents. (AP) *** Obama Slams Security Breach Wall Street Journal *** Deadliest year for U.S. troops on Afghan duty: 311 killed in 2009, up from 155 in 2008 ***F.D.A. to Seek New Standards on Human Test Data *** Hillary wins DC popularity poll *** U.S. Preps Sanctions Against Iran *** Obama’s Mortgage Program Falls Short *** White House Responds To Cheney: Your 'Bellicose Rhetoric' Did Nothing *** A Year Later: The Problem is Obama's Policies - Victor Davis Hanson, NRO *** Dick Cheney is a Coward - Steve Benen, Washington Monthly *** Cheney: Obama Pretends We're Not at War - Ed Morrissey, Hot Air *** Suicide bomber attacks CIA base in Afghanistan *** Unnoticed clues haunt Fort Hood Viewed
Congress Florida Republican May File Suit Over Health Bill ***The Case for Reform There are compelling reasons for all Americans to root for the health care reform effort to succeed and urge Congress to complete the job (NYT Ed) *** Jim DeMint Still Blocking TSA Nominee, Attacks Dems For 'Rush' *** Sen. Schumer talks security in Schenectady, and wraps up an all-county tour. (Capital News 9, PolitckerNY) *** Graham, McCain, Lieberman Demand Halt Of Gitmo Detainee Transfer -- A Week Late *** Final Public Option Push Targets Sanders, Feingold, Brown And Franken *** Why Democrats Will Lose the House in 2010 - James Pethokoukis, Reuters *** Even on Gridiron, Democrats Favor Gov't Involvement - Peter Brown, WSJ *** Health Bill a Solid Foundation - Sen. Tom Harkin, Des Moines Register
Political Party The Political Forecast for 2010 - Dan Gerstein, Forbes *** Five Steps to Recovery for Dems - Steve Rosenthal, Politico *** Republicans see political opportunity in the incident. (WashPost) *** An Iowa congressman thinks Sarah Palin will run in 2012, and that she’s got a good shot at the caucus. (AP) *** Clinton edges Palin for most admired
Pay to Play Congress Come clean, Mr. Meeks: Congressman must explain relationship with shady billionaire
International Iran's blame game *** N. Korea: We have Yank *** China Willing to Spend Big on Afghan Commerce *** Europe’s Vast Farm Subsidies Face Challenges *** Emerging Markets Soar Past Their Doubters *** Oil Field Project in Iraq Won by Lukoil and Statoil *** Why the Mullahs Are Vulnerable - Con Coughlin, Wall Street Journal *** Iran's Growing Desperation - The Economist *** Afghan probe says NATO fighting killed children
National Hottest Cities For Job Seekers -- See The Latest Rankings *** Health Cuts With Little Effect on Care
Environment Panel Rejects French Carbon Tax *** Business and environmental groups are squared off on Marcellus Shale drilling. *** Representative Maurice Hinchey said "a lot more work is needed" before drilling can move forward *** Stormy Times For Global Warmists - Michael Fumento, Forbes
New Years Eve Free rides for Eve revelers *** 12 city high schoolers will help lower Times Sq. ball *** Times Square Preps for New Year's Eve (WNBC) *** New Year's Eve On TV: What To Watch To Welcome 2010 (Huff Post)
Top Tens The Most-Viewed City Room Posts of 2009 *** How geeks saved the 00's and made it the neatest decade EVER *** From 9/11 to Capt. Sully, New York at the heart of the start and end of this decade *** 10 Years of Reader Photographs (NYT) *** FT Picks 50 Faces That Shaped The Decade *** Shocking Celebrity Deaths Dogged 2009 | PopEater.com *** The Riverdale Press recaps 2009.
Media and New Tech Hat-in-hand Harvey *** Nokia knocks Apple *** Facebook is No. 1 holiday hit *** Android news set by Google *** How To 'Fix' The Sunday Morning Shows *** With Ads, Music Downloads Sing a New Tune *** Time Warner Cable Subscribers Face Year Without Fox *** Nokia engages Apple in intellectual property rights feud *** Google to introduce electronic gadget *** Bookstore Twitter Battle: Bookstores Have War Of Words Via Tweets *** New Details on Google Phone *** Guide to Breaking Cell Phone Security Revealed - NYTimes.com *** Time Warner Cable Offers Arbitration With Fox *** Washington Times cuts sections *** Sources: Limbaugh Rushed To Honolulu Hospital Conservative Radio Show Host Suffering From Chest Pains
