In a snub of Democratic incumbent Letitia James, the union representing 7,000 current and retired New York state troopers has endorsed Republican Michael Henry for attorney general.
Troopers PBA President Thomas Mungeer said he’s furious with James’ office over its handling of the murder, manslaughter and reckless endangerment indictment of Trooper Christopher Baldner for his role in a crash that killed a Brooklyn teen in December 2020.
He said James’ prosecutors falsely claimed Baldner was a flight risk when setting bail.
“There’s a line in the sand. The gloves are off. I have no confidence in anything James does,” Mungeer told The Post.
He added in a statement, “The NYSTPBA is urging all of its members, along with their family members and friends, as well as all members of the law enforcement community, to vote for Michael Henry for New York State Attorney General.”
Henry, the son of a retired police officer, said: “it is an honor” to have the support of the state troopers PBA.
“Our law enforcement officers go out and put their lives on the line every single day and they deserve our respect. We are going to work together to restore safety to New York by repealing dangerous pro-criminal policies that are putting the public and our officers at risk. I thank New York State Troopers PBA President Thomas Mungeer and every member for putting their trust in me,” Henry said.
Mungeer’s displeasure with James was first displayed last November, when he immediately endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary when James was still a candidate for governor, before dropping out and instead running for re-election to state attorney general.
The feud stems from the Trooper Baldner case.
Baldner allegedly rammed into a vehicle that had fled a traffic stop, causing it to flip over, killing 11-year-old Monica Goods in December 2020, according to James’ office.
Baldner had pulled over the girl’s father, Tristan Goods, for speeding on the state Thruway near Kingston in Ulster County. Goods sped away and Baldner went after him, twice ramming his patrol car into the back of the family’s car, according to James’ office.
James indicted Baldner for murder last October.
Under a state law approved in 2020, the attorney general is required to investigate all civilian deaths at the hands of police and prosecute criminal wrongdoing, if warranted. The AG has an office of special investigation that reviews all police-related deaths.
Last week, she filed a massive $250 million civil fraud lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, his company, and three kids for allegedly falsely inflating his net worth by manipulating the value of some of his prized assets — including his various golf courses, hotels, and homes. Trump denied the charges.
Last year, her office’s damning investigative report claimed that ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo harassed or mistreated a slew of women forcing Cuomo’s resignation. Cuomo recently filed an ethics complaint against James, disputing the claims.