As the Hochul Crime Wave Surges, Congressman Lee Zeldin Calls for Charges in Bronx -Punch Case to Be Upgraded

Continues Call to Repeal Cashless Bail and Fire Rogue District Attorneys Who Refuse to Enforce the Law

NEW YORK – Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), the Republican Party and Conservative Party nominee for Governor, is calling for the charges in the Bronx -Punch case to be upgraded. The New York Police Department filed attempted murder charges against convicted sex offender Bui Van Phu, but the Bronx District Attorney’s office downgraded the charges to misdemeanor assault and harassment. Congressman Zeldin also continued his call for the Governor to remove rogue, far-left District Attorneys who are refusing to enforce the law, and for the State Legislature to convene in a special session to overhaul cashless bail:

“The charges against convicted sex offender and lifetime parolee Bui Van Phu must be upgraded. His unprovoked attack has left Jesus Cortez with a fractured skull and he remains in a coma to this day. There is clear evidence to support a stronger charge. Phu should have never been granted a cashless bail release back onto the streets.

“Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark needs to do her job. If she wants to be a criminal defense attorney then she should go be a criminal defense attorney and let someone who actually wants to enforce the law to start serving as District Attorney.

“Meanwhile, Kathy Hochul continues to call for more ‘data’ when it comes to repealing cashless bail. This case alone shows just how badly the state’s cashless bail law needs to be repealed. This case is a great example in favor of mandatory pre-trial confinement. Discretion to set cash bail should be the exception here instead of the norm. In this case, however, the only option for the judge was a cashless bail release, which is insane. As the Hochul Crime Wave continues to surge, I am calling on the New York State Legislature to get back up to Albany today to convene in a special session to repeal cashless bail and secure our streets. These failed policies are causing countless law-abiding New Yorkers to be attacked, stabbed, and killed every day.”