Weinstein-DA funding controversy helps inspire reform measures

New York Daily News:

As Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's campaign contributions have come under scrutiny, a state assemblyman said he’s introducing a bill to reign in how much New York prosecutors can accept in donations from defense attorneys.

The bill by Assemblyman Dan Quart (D-Manhattan) would create a statewide database of lawyers and law firms who have criminal defense practices. Those on the list would be barred from giving more than $320 an election cycle to district attorney candidates.

It also would prohibit lawyers and firms from bundling donations on behalf of district attorney candidates...

Vance has been criticized for taking contributions from defense lawyers whose clients -- [including] disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein -- were targets of criminal probes that did not yield prosecutions.