Embattled Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg is consulting a disaster communications specialist to attempt to douse the firestorm of concern over his soft-on-crime progressive insurance policies, The Submit has realized.
Sources additionally stated Bragg can also be searching for assist from his previous boss, former Manhattan US Lawyer Preet Bharara.
Bragg turned to veteran public relations skilled Risa Heller amid the controversy that he acknowledged Sunday had resulted in “a difficult two weeks” since he took workplace Jan. 1, sources accustomed to the state of affairs stated.
Bragg, a former federal prosecutor, has additionally been talking with Bharara, who garnered widespread accolades for cracking down on inside merchants and corrupt politicians when he was Manhattan US legal professional, sources stated.
“Risa and Preet have been making calls to individuals about what Bragg is doing and tips on how to deal with the fallout,” one supply stated.
Heller and Bharara labored collectively up to now as staffers for Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY.)
Neither instantly returned requests for remark.
Bragg made the desperation strikes forward of what sources stated could be a serious speech to tackle widespread criticism of his directives for Manhattan prosecutors to downgrade sure felonies — together with some industrial armed robberies — and never search bail or jail time most often.
It’s unclear if Bragg plans to stroll again any of these orders.
One supply stated the speech might be delivered as quickly as Wednesday however a Bragg insider stated the date hadn’t but been decided.
“We’re taking a look at completely different choices,” the supply closed to Bragg stated.
That particular person stated Bragg was additionally “speaking to senior individuals within the DA’s workplace” and “to individuals who have been endorsers and others about shifting ahead.”
State Democratic Celebration Chairman Jay Jacobs stated he welcomed the deliberate speech as a result of “the extra readability Bragg may give, the higher.”
Jacobs additionally accused Republicans of seizing on parts from Bragg’s controversial, Jan. 3 “Day One” memo for use as a “wedge concern” in opposition to Democrats.
“I've confidence in District Lawyer Bragg. He is aware of what he’s doing. He has good intentions. Making a protected metropolis is his goal,” Jacobs stated.
On Saturday, The Submit solely revealed that at the least 9 prosecutors have give up the Manhattan DA’s Workplace since Bragg took over, together with senior trial counsel Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, who efficiently prosecuted Harvey Weinstein and gained a 2016 conviction within the notorious 1979 homicide of Etan Patz.
Earlier this month, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell additionally despatched each NYPD cop an e mail that stated she was “very involved” Bragg’s agenda would affect “your security as law enforcement officials, the protection of the general public and justice for the victims.”
Sewell and Bragg later held a gathering that they claimed afterward was “open, candid and productive,” and could be adopted by further “collaborative discussions.”
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