Longtime Queens District Attorney Richard Brown is resigning for health reasons on June 1 — seven months before his term ends.
Brown, 86, announced in January that he wouldn’t seek re-election this fall.
“It had been my hope that I would be able to finish out this term in office. Unfortunately, that is not to be,” Brown said in a statement.
“Given the current state of my health and my ongoing health issues, it has become increasingly difficult to fully perform the powers and duties of my office in the manner in which I have done since 1991. Accordingly, I intend to resign as District Attorney effective June 1, 2019, the twenty-eighth anniversary of my first assuming this office. “
Brown, a former judge who is the longest-serving DA in the city, has been battling Parkinson’s disease.
He designated his chief assistant, John Ryan, to serve as acting DA.
The primary election to succeed Brown will be held June 25 and the general election in November.
The new elected DA will take office in January.
“I thank the people of Queens for their much appreciated support over the years. It is has been my honor to serve you. I particularly want to express my appreciation to all those who have worked so professionally and diligently in this office as Assistant District Attorneys, Investigators and members of our support staff. Together we have built what I believe to be one of the finest prosecutor’s offices in the country,” Brown said in a statement.
Among those seeking to succeed him are Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Councilman Rory Lancman.