Linda Fairstein

Linda Fairstein is an American author, attorney, and former New York City prosecutor. Born on May 5, 1947, she specialized in crimes of violence against women and children. Fairstein served as the head of the sex crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's office from 1976 to 2002. Notably, she oversaw the prosecution of the Central Park Five case, in which five teenagers were wrongfully convicted for the 1989 rape and assault of a jogger. Their convictions were vacated in 2002 when another individual confessed to the crime. Fairstein, however, maintained their guilt even after the confession. Her work and views have remained controversial in recent years.