Calls are mounting for the resignation of Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance as 40 more women accuse former Columbia University OB-GYN Robert Hadden of sexual assault. The accusations follow recent revelations by Evelyn Yang, wife of former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, that Hadden assaulted her when she was pregnant. Cy Vance let Hadden off with a plea deal in 2016 that enabled him to avoid jail time. Evelyn Yang was attacked just six weeks after Hadden had been arrested in another case but was allowed to return to his practice. The total number of Hadden’s accusers is now around 70. The allegations include vaginal examinations without gloves, forceful touching and forced oral sex. Joining the call for Cy Vance to resign are all 12 members of the New York City Council Women’s Caucus. Co-Chair Carlina Rivera said, “There’s a long history of District Attorney Vance’s office failing to effectively prosecute other powerful white men.” This, as jury deliberations begin today in Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial in New York. We’ll have more on that story after headlines with New York magazine’s Irin Carmon.
