Government Watchdog Decries Shameful Situation Regarding Nomination Status of Bronx DA

NEW YORK, NY (09/24/2015)(readMedia)-- Common Cause/NY released the following statement in response to the New York Time's article regarding the behind-the-scenes maneuvering leading to the announcement by Bronx DA Johnson that he will run for a Supreme Court seat rather than seek re-election as District Attorney:

"New York's party-controlled system for replacing candidates invites the sort of unethical and self-serving conduct that DA Johnson and his wife, Justice Dianne Renwick, appear to have engaged in," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY. "In a borough with an infamously broken criminal justice system, all involved - the party officials who sanction this despicable conduct and the officers of the court who are putting their own self-interests above those of the voters - have displayed the most shocking and blatant disregard for the constituents they are supposed to be serving. Their scheme should be rejected and the nomination process for District Attorney opened up and decided by the public to which this position is responsible to."