Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, who lost the Democratic primary to Ken Thompson in a landslide, is about to announce that he will run in the general election as a Republican – even though he told Thompson and reporters several times after his loss that he would not do so.
Charles J. Hynes
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, who lost the Democratic primary to Ken Thompson in a landslide, is about to announce that he will run in the general election as a Republican – even though he told Thompson and reporters several times after his loss that he would not do so – a source familiar with the situation told FailedMessiah.com.
Hynes, beset with ethical problems and what many observers see as an out of control office, allegedly attended a Republican fundraiser yesterday.
And, although promising Ken Thompson– both privately and publicly – a smooth transition, Hynes has stopped cooperating with Thompson, the source said.
Reporters are now gathering at Hynes office awaiting an announcement.
Update 10:16 am CDT – A source adds:
Within the last two weeks, Linda Weinman, who is a crimes against children ADA, was soliciting signatures IN THE OFFICE ON "COMPANY" TIME from subordinates for a petition to urge Hynes to run on the Republican ticket. This is unethical and may even be illegal. People in the office felt very uncomfortable with this.
Update 10:31 am CDT – The New York Post was given an exclusive on the story by Hynes, and posted at the same time I did. So it is official – Hynes is running as a Republican.
Hynes claims he's running because Clarance Norman is involved in Thompson's campaign – a strategy Hynes and the Post cooked up a few days after the primary election.
The Post describes Norman this way: "…former Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Clarence Norman, who the DA sent to prison for selling judgeships…"
Norman was not convicted of selling judgeships, however, and Hynes has a track record of persecuting and sometimes prosecuting his political opponents on weak or very weak charges.
Update 10:54 am CDT – It could be that ethically challenged Rackets Division head Michael Vecchione and Hynes spokesman Jerry Schmetterer will both resign as part of the deal to get Hynes to run.