Alvin Bragg
Bragg in 2023
37th District Attorney of New York County
Assumed office
January 1, 2022
Preceded byCyrus Vance Jr.
Chief Deputy Attorney General of New York
In office
2017 – December 2018
Attorney GeneralEric Schneiderman
Personal details
Born
Alvin Leonard Bragg Jr.

(1973-10-21) October 21, 1973
New York City, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Jamila Ponton
​
(m. 2003)​
Children2
EducationHarvard University (BA, JD)

Alvin Leonard Bragg Jr. (born October 21, 1973) is an American politician and lawyer who serves as the New York County District Attorney, covering Manhattan. In 2021, he became the first African American elected to that office.[1] Bragg had previously served as Chief Deputy Attorney General of New York and as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York.

Early life and education

Bragg was born in New York City on October 21, 1973. He hailed from Harlem, and grew up on Striver's Row.[2] In an interview with The American Prospect, Bragg said that he had been "deeply affected by the criminal justice system – most directly through three gunpoint stops by the NYPD".[3] He graduated from the Trinity School[4] before attending Harvard College.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in 1995 as a major in government.[2][5] In 1999, he earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Civil Rights–Civil Liberties Law Review.[4][5][6]

Bragg clerked for federal district judge Robert P. Patterson Jr. before he joined the law firm Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello as an associate, where his work focused on white collar fraud and civil rights issues. In 2003, he joined the office of the Attorney General of New York under Eliot Spitzer before becoming the chief of litigation and investigations for the New York City Council. In 2009, Bragg left the city council to serve as assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York.[7]

In 2017, Eric Schneiderman, then serving as attorney general, appointed Bragg Chief Deputy Attorney General of New York.[8] Bragg ran the criminal justice and social justice divisions, overseeing lawsuits brought by the state against the Donald J. Trump Foundation, Harvey Weinstein and The Weinstein Company, and the addition of a citizenship question on the 2020 United States Census.

He left the position in December 2018[9] and became a professor at the New York Law School, where he was co-director of the Racial Justice Project.[7] Bragg is a member of the board of directors for The Legal Aid Society. He has represented the families of Ramarley Graham and Eric Garner in civil litigation against New York City.[10]

New York County District Attorney

2021 election

In June 2019, Bragg started his candidacy for the 2021 Democratic Party nomination for New York County District Attorney, then held by Cyrus Vance Jr., who did not run for reelection.[9][11] Bragg ran as a supporter of criminal justice reform measures, and his campaign was characterized as one of the "campaigns of progressive prosecutors across the country".[12]

His candidacy received the endorsement of The New York Times.[13] Following the June 22, 2021 Democratic primary, Bragg led in the reported vote count and Tali Farhadian Weinstein conceded the primary to Bragg on July 2.[14] On November 2, 2021, Bragg defeated Republican Thomas Kenniff in the general election, becoming the first African-American to be elected New York County District Attorney.[1]

Tenure

Bragg was sworn into office on January 1, 2022.[15]

Policies on low-level offenses

On January 4, 2022, after three days in office, he announced that his office would no longer prosecute low-level offenses such as fare evasion, resisting arrest, prostitution, and cannabis-related misdemeanors unless accompanied by a felony charge. He also decided to seek lesser charges for burglaries and store robberies where the offender "displays a dangerous instrument but does not create a genuine risk of physical harm".[16] On January 20, Bragg disputed what he described was a "legalistic" interpretation of his prosecution policy memo and indicated that he supported a zero tolerance policy for violent crimes.[17]

Donald Trump prosecution

On February 23, 2022, Carey R. Dunne and Mark F. Pomerantz, the lead prosecutors in the New York County District Attorney's investigation into Donald Trump and his businesses, resigned abruptly after Bragg "indicated to them that he had doubts about moving forward with a case against Mr. Trump".[18] In his letter of resignation, Pomerantz wrote that the "team that has been investigating Mr. Trump harbors no doubt about whether he committed crimes,[19] including falsifying business records, and that it was "a grave failure of justice"[19] not to pursue criminal charges.[20]

The New York Times reported that Bragg "balked at pursuing an indictment against Mr. Trump" and lacked confidence proving in court that Trump "knowingly falsified the value of his assets on annual financial statements".[20] The Washington Post noted that Bragg was slow to meet with Dunne and Pomerantz after taking office and when they finally met to discuss the case, a source in the D.A.'s Office commented that Bragg seemed distracted and disengaged, continually checking his cell phone (allegations Bragg's spokesperson denied).[21]

On November 21, 2022, The New York Times reported that the district attorney's office "has moved to jump-start its criminal investigation" into Trump's reported "hush-money payment to a porn star who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump".[22] Bragg confirmed to CNN in January 2023 that the probe was ongoing.[23] On January 30, the office presented evidence to a grand jury regarding Trump's role in the payment.[24] Trump was indicted on March 30[25] and arraigned on April 4.[26] Trump pleaded not guilty.[27] It was the first indictment of a former president in United States history.[28]

Jose Alba prosecution

On July 7, 2022, Jose Alba, a 61-year-old bodega clerk, was attacked by customer Austin Simon in a dispute over a bag of potato chips. Alba attempted to de-escalate, but after being cornered behind the counter and being shoved into a wall, defended himself with a knife, killing the assailant.[29] Police who investigated the incident described Alba's actions as self defense.[30]

Bragg, in his prosecutorial discretion, charged Alba with murder and requested bail at $500,000. The judge initially set bail at $250,000, before lowering it to $50,000.[31] The dead attacker's girlfriend also stabbed Alba with her own knife, after attempting to turn Alba's knife back on him. Bragg declined to charge her.[29] After backlash, including from Mayor Eric Adams who said Alba was acting in self defense, Bragg ultimately dropped the charges against Alba, noting that "a homicide case against Alba could not be proven at trial beyond a reasonable doubt".[32]

Steve Bannon prosecution

On September 6, 2022, The Washington Post reported that Steve Bannon would be indicted on September 8 by Bragg's prosecutors on the same charges of fraud that he was federally pardoned for by then-President Trump in 2020.[33] On September 8, Bannon was charged with "defrauding Americans who wanted to contribute to construction of a southern border wall, resurrecting a threat that Mr. Bannon seemed to have escaped with a 2021 presidential pardon"; Bannon pleaded not guilty.[34]

Personal life

Bragg married Jamila Marie Ponton in 2003.[35] They have two children.[5] Bragg at one time taught Sunday School at the Abyssinian Baptist Church.[36]

References

  1. 1 2 Cline-Thomas, Aundrea (November 2, 2021). "Alvin Bragg Elected As Manhattan's First Black District Attorney". CBS News, New York.
  2. 1 2 Wilde, Anna D. (June 8, 1995). "The Anointed One: Students see Alvin Bragg as Conciliator". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  3. ↑ Khardori, Ankush (July 13, 2021). "Restorative Justice Requires an 'All-of-the-Above Approach'". The American Prospect. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Paul, Deanna (May 9, 2021). "Alvin Bragg Leans on Harlem Roots in Manhattan District Attorney Race". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Saltonstall, Gus (June 16, 2021). "Manhattan District Attorney Race: Alvin Bragg Profile". Patch.com. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  6. ↑ Martindale Hubbell Law Directory. New Providence, NJ: Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, Incorporated. 2003. p. NMP-995. ISBN 978-1-5616-0551-4 – via Google Books.
  7. 1 2 Clark, Dan M. (December 10, 2018). "NY Chief Deputy AG Heading to New York Law School Teaching Post". New York Law Journal. New York City: ALM. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  8. ↑ "A.G. Schneiderman Announces Appointment Of New Chief Deputy Attorney General Alvin Bragg And Executive Deputy Attorney General Margaret Garnett | New York State Attorney General". Ag.ny.gov. September 18, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  9. 1 2 Sanders, Anna (June 18, 2019). "Alvin Bragg announces Democratic primary campaign against Manhattan DA Cy Vance". The New York Daily News. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  10. ↑ Hamm, Theodore (August 6, 2020). "A Life-Long Fight For Justice Spurred Alvin Bragg Into the Manhattan DA Race". The Indypendent. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  11. ↑ Durkin, Erin (June 23, 2021). "Former federal prosecutor close to winning Manhattan DA primary". Politico PRO.
  12. ↑ Walsh, James D. (July 2, 2021). "Alvin Bragg Set to Become Manhattan's First Black District Attorney". New York Intelligencer. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Opinion | Alvin Bragg for Manhattan D.A. (Published 2021)". The New York Times. May 27, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  14. ↑ Bromwich, Jonah E. (June 22, 2021). "Bragg Set to Be Manhattan's Next D.A., and a Potential Trump Scourge". The New York Times. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  15. ↑ Vakil, Caroline (January 1, 2022). "First Black Manhattan DA sworn in, to take over Trump case". The Hill. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg Says His Office Won't Prosecute Fare Evasion, Resisting Arrest, Prostitution And More Without Accompanying Felony Charge". CBS New York. January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  17. ↑ Goldberg, Noah (January 20, 2022). "Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg says he's not soft on violent crime, clarifies 'legalistic' memo that outlined prosecution policies". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  18. ↑ Rashbaum, William K.; Protess, Ben; Bromwich, Jonah E.; Christobek, Kate; Schweber, Nate (February 23, 2022). "2 Prosecutors Leading N.Y. Trump Inquiry Resign, Clouding Case's Future". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  19. 1 2 "Read the Full Text of Mark Pomerantz's Resignation Letter". The New York Times. March 23, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  20. 1 2 Rashbaum, William K.; Protess, Ben; Bromwich, Jonah E. (March 23, 2022). "Trump Is Guilty of 'Numerous' Felonies, Prosecutor Who Resigned Says". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  21. ↑ Mayer, Jane (February 24, 2022). "Why Does New York's Criminal Investigation of Donald Trump Appear All But Over? After promising to prioritize the case, the new Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, seems to have abandoned it". The New Yorker. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  22. ↑ Bromwich, Jonah E.; Protess, Ben; Rashbaum, William K. (November 21, 2022). "Manhattan Prosecutors Move to Jump-Start Criminal Inquiry Into Trump". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  23. ↑ Scannell, Kara; Cole, Devan (January 13, 2023). "Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg tells CNN that his office's investigation of Trump Org. will continue | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  24. ↑ O'Connor, Lydia (January 30, 2023). "Manhattan DA Investigating Trump To Present Evidence To Grand Jury: Report". HuffPost. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  25. ↑ Scannell, Kara (March 31, 2023). "Donald Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury on more than 30 counts related to business fraud | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  26. ↑ Linton, Caroline (September 18, 1927). "Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg says "thorough investigation" led to Trump indictment". CBS News. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records | CNN Politics". CNN. April 4, 2023.
  28. ↑ Kates, Graham (March 31, 2023). "Trump indicted in Manhattan, becoming first ex-president charged with a crime". CBS News. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  29. 1 2 Cunnington, Jessica (July 12, 2022). "New Video Shows Girlfriend Stab NYC Bodega Worker After Confrontation Turned Deadly". WNBC. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  30. ↑ "NYC Bodega Owner Arrested for Self-Defense Stabbing". July 2, 2022.
  31. ↑ Adams Shows Support for Man Charged in Bodega Killing That Caused Outcry, The New York Times
  32. ↑ "Bodega Clerk Who Fatally Stabbed Man Will Not Face Charges". The New York Times. July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  33. ↑ Jacobs, Shayna; Alemany, Jacqueline; Dawsey, Josh (September 6, 2022). "Steve Bannon faces state indictment in N.Y., will surrender Thursday". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  34. ↑ Marcius, Chelsia Rose; Bromwich, Jonah E.; O'Brien, Rebecca Davis (September 9, 2022) [Originally published 8 September 2022]. "Bannon Pleads Not Guilty to New York Charges in Wall Case". The New York Times.
  35. ↑ "WEDDINGS/CELEBRATIONS; Jamila Ponton, Alvin Bragg Jr". The New York Times. November 2, 2003. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  36. ↑ "About". We Support Alvin. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
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