Philly Ward’s leader sentenced to sexually assault a child resigns after campaign dust involving da Larry Krasner

A leader of the Democratic Section of Philadelphia in West and resigned on Sunday, after his conviction for the sexual assault of a minor became a point of view over the weekend in the district lawyer.

Stephen Jones, the democratic leader of the 52nd section of the city, gave up the fact that his case broke out in the public vision, which led to statements that the city’s top prosecutor requested an approval from a convicted sexual offender – claim that the district lawyer refused.

On Saturday, District Lawyer Larry Krasner, a Democrat who ran for the third term in office, participated in a breakfast with party leaders, in an effort to gather signatures needed to run for May elections. City’s progressive prosecutor is facing a well -financed provocative in a long -time judge Patrick Dugan.

But the political meeting and routine political greeting became explosive when the video appeared on social networks showing Krasner in the same frame as Jones, who was convicted just two weeks ago.

Jones, 79, was accused in 2023 following an incident that took place in January of that year. His first May 2024 trial led to a blocked jury, according to judicial documents. He was withdrawn in February and convicted for indecent aggravated aggression of a person under 13, illegal contact with a minor and related crimes.

Jones is free on bail and is scheduled to be convicted in May.

Anthony Campisi, a spokesman for Krasner’s campaign, said in a statement that the district lawyer does not know the case when he requested approval on Saturday, citing Jones’s “common name” and saying that the case was managed “by Career prosecutors at the office. “

Campisi said that the meeting attracted more than a dozen candidates running in a racing hand this spring. Krasner called Jones to resign after the campaign event obtained local attention from social networks and news sites.

Dugan’s campaign said Krasner’s office has been following Jones for two years and said he is unlikely that the district lawyer would not have been aware of a case of sexual assault against a long -term democratic party leader.

“Larry Krasner was smiling next to a condemned children,” the Dugan campaign said in a statement. “Didn’t he recognize him? Is it responsible for each major case in this city did not notice a politically connected sexual offender who sits next to him? Or did he know exactly who he was and chose to stay there? Every answer should terrify you. “

Dugan’s campaign also stressed that Jones is not scheduled to be convicted until May 22, two days after the primary elections. The campaign suggested that there is “a pro quo quid to let Stephen Jones wait for his conviction in exchange for political support.”

Krasner’s campaign said it wasn’t.

“When you look at how this case was treated, this is an example of justice applied equitably and equally to all,” Campisi said, “regardless of their political position or connections.”

Vincent Lorusso, a lawyer for Jones, confirmed that Jones resigned. But he said that Jones refused to approve or even sign a petition for Krasner at the event.

“He met Krasner for the first time on Saturday,” the lawyer said. “Krasner came to the meeting and spoke and (Jones) said everyone is doing this.”

Former representative of US Bob Brady, the president of the Democratic Party of the city, said he was aware of Jones’ legal problems, but said that the details of the case were never brought to attention.

“I never had a problem of this nature,” Brady said. “A sexual offender? As soon as I learned about it, I called and told him he had to resign. We can’t have that. “

A party vote is scheduled for Wednesday to announce Jones’s successor in 52 sections in Wynnefield, a post previously held by former mayor Michael Nutter. Municipal councilor Katherine Gilmore Richardson, the leader of the democratic majority, who is the president in the 52nd section, is expected to replace him, said Brady. Gilmore Richardson could not be contacted on Monday for comments.

This is a last -minute news and will be updated.