Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Probation for Pillow-Talking, Ex-Brooklyn Prosecutor
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 13, 2008
Modified Dec 13, 2008
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
Jen Chung
Published Dec 13, 2008
Modified Dec 13, 2008
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
A former prosecutor in the Brooklyn DA's office was admonished by a judge for giving her defense lawyer fiance (now husband) information about prosecution witnesses. The Daily News reports that Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Guy Mangano said of Sandra Fernandez, "This was a despicable act...Not only has she violated her oath, but the trust of the people of this county." Fernandez ran criminal history and vehicle information checks on prosecution witnesses to help her fiance, Douglas Rankin undercut their testimony. Rankin's client, on trial for a shooting, was acquitted, but the Brooklyn DA's office was suspicious that Rankin had such information at his disposal. Fernandez, who once claimed prosecutors ran rap sheets to colleagues, was given probation, as well as stripped of her law license (she can reapply in seven years).
Tagged
brooklyn
brooklyn da's office
prosecution witness
Sandra Fernandez
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
With election 3 weeks away, Hochul and Blakeman to square off in lone NY governor debate
The hourlong debate is the candidates’ best chance to sell their competing visions to New York voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
NYC's taxi union teams with Uber, hedge fund to demand healthcare 4 driver deaths
New York city's taxi workers want lawmakers to use a surcharge that goes to the MTA to pay for a health fund for drivers.
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
NYC's taxi union teams with Uber, hedge fund to demand healthcare 4 driver deaths
New York city's taxi workers want lawmakers to use a surcharge that goes to the MTA to pay for a health fund for drivers.
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
By
Liam Quigley
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
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 .