NYC prosecutor behind Trump indictment has faced repeated criticism for being soft on crime

The recent indictment of former President Donald Trump by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has brought attention to the prosecutor behind the case, Cyrus Vance Jr. However, Vance has faced repeated criticism for being soft on crime during his tenure as the district attorney of New York City. Vance, who has been in office since 2010, has been accused of being too lenient on wealthy and powerful defendants. In 2015, he faced backlash for dropping charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund, who was accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid. Vance cited issues with the maid's credibility as the reason for dropping the charges. In 2016, Vance was criticized for not prosecuting Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood producer who was accused of sexual assault and harassment by multiple women. Vance's office declined to press charges, citing a lack of evidence. Vance has also been accused of being too lenient on white-collar criminals. In 2018, he faced criticism for not prosecuting the Trump Organization for alleged fraud related to the valuation of its properties. Vance's office declined to press charges, citing a lack of evidence. Despite these criticisms, Vance has defended his record as district attorney, stating that his office has prosecuted thousands of cases and secured convictions in high-profile cases such as the conviction of former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on corruption charges. The indictment of Trump on charges of tax fraud and other financial crimes has been seen as a major victory for Vance, who has been investigating the former president's business dealings for several years. However, the case is likely to face significant legal challenges, and it remains to be seen whether Vance's office will be able to secure a conviction. In the meantime, Vance's record as district attorney will continue to be scrutinized, with some critics arguing that he has been too lenient on wealthy and powerful defendants. Others, however, argue that Vance has been a strong advocate for criminal justice reform and has worked to reduce the number of people incarcerated in New York City. Regardless of one's opinion of Vance, it is clear that his tenure as district attorney has been marked by controversy and criticism. The indictment of Trump is just the latest chapter in a long and complex story, and it remains to be seen how it will ultimately play out.