Queens District Attorney To Resign In June

QUEENS, NY — Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown will resign on June 1 due to ongoing health issues, he announced Thursday.

Chief Assistant John M. Ryan will take over responsibilities of the district attorney's office from June through the end of the year. The borough's new district attorney will be elected in November, following a competitive Democratic primary in June.

"It had been my hope that I would be able to finish out this term in office. Unfortunately, that is not to be," Brown said in a statement. "Given the current state of my health and my ongoing health issues, it has become increasingly difficult to fully perform the powers and duties of my office in the manner in which I have done since 1991."

Brown announced in January that he would not seek re-election in November, but that he planned to finish out his term in office. He has had the longest tenure of the city's current district attorneys and is the longest-serving DA in Queens history.

"I will continue to work closely with my staff until my retirement to ensure an orderly transition for this office and for the residents of Queens County," Brown said Thursday. "I thank the people of Queens for their much appreciated support over the years. It is has been my honor to serve you."

Candidates in this year's race to replace Brown include City Councilman Rory Lancman, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, public defender Tiffany L. Cabán and Gregory Lasak, a retired state Supreme Court judge.