Survivor Advocacy Organization Opposes DA Eric Gonzalez for Lieutenant Governor

ALBANY, NY (01/12/2026) (readMedia)-- Ahead of tomorrow's State of the State, ZA'AKAH, an organization advocating for survivors of sexual violence in the Jewish community, is calling on Governor Hochul to stand with children and survivors in New York and rule out Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez to serve as her Lieutenant Governor.

In November, DA Gonzalez signaled his support for a reduction in the sentence of Nechemya Weberman, a prominent figure in the ultra-Orthodox Satmar community who was originally sentenced to 103 years in prison for repeatedly sexually abusing then 12-year-old Rivky Deutsch. Gonzalez also sent former Governor Andrew Cuomo a formal request to commute Weberman's sentence on Cuomo's last day in office. ZA'AKAH asserts that Gonzalez's support for the convicted child sexual abuser is disqualifying.

Statement from Asher Lovy, ZA'AKAH Director:

"As you make the important decision on who to appoint as your Lieutenant Governor, we strongly urge you to rule out Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez to serve as the second-highest executive official in New York.

You have been a champion for families, children, and survivors, taking on online predators, signing the Adult Survivors Act, and celebrating with survivors of child sexual abuse as Lieutenant Governor yourself when the Child Victims Act was signed into law. That record cannot be reconciled with elevating a public official who is actively standing with Nechemya Weberman, a convicted child sexual abuser whom Gonzalez wants to let free.

Survivors across New York are watching closely. We urge you to remain consistent with your commitment to children and survivors and reject any appointment that undermines New Yorkers' trust in your leadership."

ZA'AKAH has been denouncing DA Gonzalez for supporting Weberman and is demanding Judge D'Emic not release Weberman decades early at the upcoming resentencing hearing.