NYC Bar rates 6 of 7 Democrats ‘Approved’ for Queens DA
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Photos courtesy of the candidates
By David Brand
The New York City Bar Association rated six of seven Democratic candidates for Queens district attorney as “approved” in an official announcement Friday, less than three weeks before the June 25 primary.
Public defender Tiffany Cabán, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Councilmember Rory Lancman, former Judge Gregory Lasak, former Queens prosecutor Mina Malik and former Brooklyn prosecutor Jose Nieves were each rated as “approved.”
The NYC Bar ratings contrasted the ratings of the Queens County Bar Association, which determined that Cabán was “not qualified” for the role of Queens’ prosecutor. Both associations interviewed candidates at the same time on May 21.
Attorney Betty Lugo was rated “Not Approved” by the NYC Bar. Lugo told the Eagle she was not invited to the joint meeting of the NYC Bar and Queens Bar.
“To ensure the thoroughness and integrity of the ratings process, the City Bar cannot comment beyond what is provided in this release,” the NYC Bar said in a statement.
The QCBA’s ratings garnered significant attention after the Judiciary Committee determined that Cabán was “not qualified.”
Judiciary Committee Chairperson Spiros Tsimbinos cited committee bylaws and declined to share specifics about the interviews with each candidate when contacted by the Eagle last month.
Tsimbinos said each candidate filled out a questionnaire before sitting for the interview. Committee members vote by secret ballot, he said.
Speaking generally about the ratings, Tsimbinos said a “not approved” rating means the committee members determined that a candidate, in this case Cabán, was not qualified. Members vote by secret ballot, he said.
“The committee felt that the person was not qualified for the position they were seeking,” Tsimbinos said. “We cannot go into the reasons or the vote but we can only send the ratings.”
He said the members considered various factors, including experience, leadership qualities and administrative experience. “Those are the factors that go into our decision-making,” he said.
