Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced he will not make a mid-term appointment to fill the rest of the late District Attorney Ken Thompson’s term.
“Until the next election, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office will continue to be led by Chief Assistant District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, who District Attorney Thompson named earlier to continue his office’s work in his absence. Keeping the first deputy in place when there is mid-term vacancy by a District Attorney is consistent with past practice under this administration,” said Cuomo in an emailed statement issued to all media outlets.
“While we continue to mourn the loss of District Attorney Kenneth Thompson, the important work of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office does not cease. District Attorney Thompson worked tirelessly to ensure that the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office worked with a mandate to advance justice and treat everyone and every case fairly and with utmost integrity. We must continue that work without interruption or delay,” he added.
Cuomo noted that Thompson established a new model at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
“His focus on proving innocence as well as proving guilt set a new precedent. His legacy should be the continuation of that model and his selection of the person who should run the office in his absence – his number two – should be honored,” Cuomo said.
Gonzalez said in a statement, “I am deeply honored to be able to carry out District Attorney Thompson’s vision of equal justice for all in Brooklyn and I pledge to continue his criminal justice reforms. I am fully committed to the important initiatives that we have put in place and will work every day to keep the people of Brooklyn safe. I thank Governor Cuomo for having the faith in me to carry on the important work of this Office.”
Gonzalez grew up in East New York and Williamsburg, and attended John Dewey High School in Coney Island. He graduated from Cornell University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in government and history. In 1995, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was president of the Latino Law Students Association.
Gonzalez began his legal career in 1995, as an assistant district attorney in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. After spending several years as a junior and then senior assistant in different bureaus within the office, including the Sex Crimes and Special Victims Bureau, Domestic Violence Bureau, Orange Trial Zone Bureau, and Green Trial Zone Bureau, Gonzalez was promoted to supervisory positions in the Green Trial Zone. Both before and after his promotions, Mr. Gonzalez tried a full range of violent crime cases, including homicides.
Promoted by Thompson to Counsel to the District Attorney March 2014, Gonzalez was instrumental to the office’s smooth transition during the change of administrations from former top prosecutor Charles Hynes.
Additionally, Gonzalez successfully guided the launch of several of Thompson’s key initiatives, including the creation of the Conviction Review Unit and the office charging policy regarding the possession of marijuana, which he framed and implemented. In October of 2014, Mr. Gonzalez was appointed by District Attorney Thompson as Chief Assistant District Attorney, the first Latino to hold that position in Brooklyn.
Gonzalez is a member of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and also sits on the Board of Directors of the Kings County Criminal Bar Association. He has frequently participated in panel discussions and continuing legal education courses, including those that have focused on racial inequality in the criminal justice system and on the role of minorities in the legal profession.
Gonzalez resides in Brooklyn with his wife and three boys. He remains an active and committed member of his local community and is the Cub Scout Den Leader of Pack 996.
