In Fairfax (Virginia's largest county) shoplifting increased by about 42% compared to last year. There, prosecutor Steve Descano, who received more than $600,000 from George Soros, decided two years ago that he wouldn't prosecute criminals who steal less than $1,000 worth of goods or money.
Rising crime is just one of the reasons Descano, who was elected in 2019e, is facing a recall petition. However, he is not the only prosecutor backed by Soros who has been criticized for implementing progressive criminal justice reforms that contribute to the rise in crime.
At Voz Media we have reported many of these cases and now, an investigation by Parker Thayer, journalist from CapitalResearch, highlights more cases of prosecutors whose policies have increased crime in their cities.
Rachael Rollins, former U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts
Former U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins left much to be desired in her state. The prosecutor created a "list of 15 low-level offenses that she refused to prosecute," according to Parker Thayer. Rollins was one of the Soros-funded officials who announced her resignation following the release of a report by the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Inspector General that exposed her partisan conduct and misconduct.
The document accused Collins of participating in Democratic Party events, abuse of power, ignoring the DOJ's gift and travel policy, and, especially, leaking internal DOJ information to journalists to favor the candidate she endorsed for Boston DA.
Kim Gardner, former St. Louis Circuit Attorney
Kim Gardner was one of the first prosecutors to be backed by Soros. She repeatedly used her power to prosecute people who held views contrary to her own "while allowing criminals to go free."
With her progressive measures and policies, the city became the murder capital of the country. In 2021, St. Louis was considered one of the deadliest locations in the world. However, despite her inability to fight crime, Soros still contributed $116,000 to her re-election.
Diana Becton, Contra Costa, California prosecutor
In 2017 Diana Becton became the first woman (and African-American) to become a prosecutor in Contra Costa County, California. With no prior experience as a prosecutor, Soros backed her with about $275,000.
In 2019, violent and property crimes increased throughout the county. In addition, throughout her first several years in office, four cities in her county were ranked among the 100 most dangerous cities in the state.
George Gascon, District Attorney, Los Angeles, California
George Gascon has been a prosecutor for Los Angeles County, California since 2020. Soros gave him $3 million for his campaign (a figure that is considered excessive).
Since he took office, he has implemented policies to reform criminal justice, which has led the city to experience a significant increase in crime. Homicide rates increased, just as shoplifting skyrocketed.
In 2021, a news story made headlines revealing how drug use had skyrocketed in the county's public transportation infrastructure. Local reports described the subway as a "mobile shelter for the homeless and drug addicts".
Kim Foxx, Prosecuting Attorney Cook County (Chicago), Illinois
Kim Foxx has been the Cook County (Chicago), Illinois prosecutor since 2016. She took office with the help of $2 million from Soros.
The prosecutor has been criticized for her soft-on-crime policies that have resulted in the largest increase in homicides Chicago has experienced in more than 30 years. In 2021, despite numerous shootings and record numbers of deaths, her office dropped 30% of felony charges.
Alvin Bragg, Manhattan, New York City District Attorney
Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg is one of the newest Soros-backed prosecutors (he was elected in 2021). Soros donated about $1.1 million to his campaign and related groups.
More than nine Manhattan prosecutors resigned since the beginning of his term. He reduced sentences for crimes such as drug trafficking, some burglaries and breaking and entering. In addition, Bragg is also responsible for a series of investigations into former President Donald Trump.
Larry Krasner, a prosecutor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) District Attorney Larry Krasner received more than $2 million from Soros for his campaign. During his time in office, the city experienced a historic murder spree that made it the nation's homicide capital in 2021.
During his early years, city Republicans claimed that the DA's office "inappropriately used prosecutorial discretion," in addition to "failing to respond to the growing gun violence in the city and the general issue of public safety to the residents of Philadelphia."
Soros continues to advocate criminal justice reform
Despite the fact that the policies implemented by his prosecutors are not effective in fighting crime, Soros stated that he has no intention of giving up his plans to reform the legal and penal system:
I have been involved in efforts to reform the criminal justice system for the more than 30 years I have been a philanthropist. I have done it transparently and I have no intention of stopping.
George Mason University Professor Emerita Joyce Lee Malcolm told Fox News that the changes Soro is talking about only "lead to more crime."
"I think you can misuse the word reform. Reform means changing something but it doesn't always mean for the better. These changes are not for the better, they are leading to more crime." .... If you ask people if they are in favor of reform everybody says oh, yeah, assuming that reform is talking about a better outcome, but the outcome here is disastrous."
