Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Morgenthau Goes Out Swinging at Bloomberg
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 28, 2009
Modified Dec 28, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 28, 2009
Modified Dec 28, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
90-year-old Manhattan D.A. Robert Morgenthau is retiring Thursday after a 35 year reign, and he's not pulling any punches in his exit interviews with the media. Morgenthau's still lashing out at federal bureaucracy—"they ought to burn it down and start all over again"—for, most recently, interfering in his case against Credit Suisse. After copping to aiding Iran and other rogue nations in violation of economic sanctions, the bank coughed up $536 million. (The feds wanted only civil penalties.) But Morgenthau, naturally, saved his nastiest criticism for his "chickenshit" nemesis Mayor Bloomberg.
In a candid Wall Street Journal profile, which described Morgenthau as "the world's district attorney" for his success in prosecuting international business cases, Morgenthau reignited a long-running feud between himself and Bloomberg. It all started in 2007 after Morgenthau's office began looking into city's negligence in the 2007 Deutsche Bank fire that killed two firefighters, he received a call from a Bloomberg "minion" who said, "The mayor wanted me to tell you that he's surprised that you're looking at the Deutsche Bank case." Morgenthau replied, "You tell the mayor that I'm surprised that he's surprised." Speaking with the Journal, Morgenthau explained that Bloomberg "thinks all lawyers work for him" and "doesn't want anybody around who doesn't kiss his ring, or other parts of his body."
Morgenthau, the longest-serving district attorney in Manhattan, says he doesn't plan to disappear after Thursday, and may even start working for a law firm. "It may be crazy,” he tells the Times. "I wouldn’t deny that." And there's still time for more justice this week; after the Credit Suisse settlement was confirmed, he was overheard asking his Assistant DA, "Can we get anything else out in December?" Asked about any other investigations that might bear fruit before his era ends, Morgenthau told reporters, "We’ll think of something."
Tagged
da
district attorney
manhattan
morgenthau
nyc
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .