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DA prosecutor busted in 109th prostitute case

By Alexander Dworkowitz

A prosecutor from the Queens district attorney’s office who had worked on prostitution cases was arrested Friday for patronizing a prostitute, police said.

Michael Connolly, 48, of 45-35 157th St., Flushing, was picked up by police shortly after 9:30 p.m. Friday in the confines of the 109th Precinct, which covers Flushing, College Point and Whitestone, police reported.

Connolly, who worked as an assistant district attorney for the Queens DA’s Civil Enforcement Bureau, was suspended without pay from his job.

Police said Connolly had offered an undercover police officer $20 for oral sex at 33rd Avenue and Miller Street, Newsday reported.

According to the district attorney’s office, Connolly is charged with the misdemeanor of patronizing a prostitute and faces a penalty of three months in prison and a $500 fine if convicted.

DA Richard Brown, who appointed a special prosecutor in the case, did not issue a statement about the matter.

A member of the DA’s office who asked to remain anonymous said it was possible that Connolly was working undercover on a case when he was arrested.

He was released on his own recognizance. He was scheduled to appear back in court on Jan. 23.

Connolly worked on two high-profile prostitution cases in the DA’s office over the last year.

In June, Connolly, along with Assistant District Attorney Oscar Ruiz, was put in charge of the prosecution of a Jamaica man accused of forcing a 16-year-old girl to work as a prostitute.

In October, Connolly and two other attorneys from his office were assigned to the prosecution of six individuals accused of operating a $2 million street prostitution enterprise in Long Island City that forced underage women to sell themselves to men.

Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 141.