FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 9, 2019 • THE QUEENS COURIER 17
DA candidates say Queens owes ‘debt of gratitude’ to Brown
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Most of the seven candidates vying to
replace Queens District Attorney Richard
A. Brown in the June 25 Democratic primary
reacted to his passing on May 3 at
the age of 86.
Supreme Court Judge Greg Lasak
retired from the bench last fall in order
to run for the offi ce having worked as an
assistant district attorney for 25 years,
mostly as the Homicide Bureau chief or
the executive assistant district attorney.
“I am devastated this morning to hear
of Judge Richard Brown’s passing,” Lasak
said. “He was innovative in his approach
to justice and keeping us safe and for that
we should all be eternally grateful. He
really loved being the district attorney
and he was a truly dedicated public servant.
Personally, I’ll be forever grateful for
the opportunities he gave me and the faith
he had in me to serve alongside him. It
was the honor of a lifetime. Judge Brown’s
legacy will live on and be an everlasting
example for all those who strive to serve.”
Queens Borough President Melinda
Katz said the borough mourns the loss of
a lifelong public servant.
“We refl ect on and honor Judge Brown’s
extraordinary devotion and distinguished
service to the people of Queens,” she
said. “I will forever and fondly remember
his kindness to me and to my entire
family throughout the years. Our sincerest
thought and prayers are with Judge
Brown’s family, especially Rhoda, their
three children and two grandchildren,
during this diffi cult time.”
Councilman Rory Lancman chairs the
Committee on Courts and Legal Services,
which has oversight over all fi ve DA offi ces
in the city, also paid tribute to the lifelong
public servant.
“I am saddened to learn of Judge
Brown’s passing,” Lancman said. “Judge
Brown dedicated his life to public service,
and he was deeply committed to the
people of Queens. My thoughts are with
Judge Brown’s family at this diffi cult time.”
Mina Malik, a former Special Victims prosecutor
for the Queens DA’s offi ce, said she
was saddened by the news of Brown’s passing.
“My condolences are extended to her
family, friends and loved ones, as well as
to the entire Queens district attorney’s
offi ce, during this diffi cult time,” Malik
said. “Th ank you Judge Brown, for you’re
lifetime of distinguished public service.”
Public defender Tiff any Cabán tweeted
brief condolences: “In the wake of his
passing, I send my sincere condolences
to the family and loved ones of Queens
District Attorney Richard Brown.”
Jose Nieves, a former special prosecutor
in the state attorney general’s offi ce and
combat veteran, added, “District Attorney
Brown dedicated his career to public service
for this city and Queens County owe
a great debt of gratitude.”
File photo/QNS
Remembering Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown
Brown with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police
Commissioner Raymond Kelly outside the 109th Precinct in
Flushing for “National Night Out Against Crime.”
In this 2006 photo, Brown is pictured
with actor Sam Waterston,
who played prosecutor Jack
McCoy on the NBC drama Law &
Order for many seasons.
Brown served as counsel to Governor Hugh Carey.
Brown with his parents.
Brown and New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly inspect one of the 68 cars which were
falsely reported stolen after announcing that 30 individuals — including 24 car owners and six alleged
middlemen — were charged in a $1.6 million undercover insurance fraud “sting” operation.
District Attorney Brown’s
college graduation
photo.
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