New York City’s Mayor Appoints Convicted Robber as Advisor

Zoran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City, announced on Tuesday that he has appointed Mysonne Linen, a convicted armed robber, to help advise on issues related to the criminal justice system. Mamdani expressed his intention to include a diverse range of experiences in order to create a city that serves everyone.

Linen, who is 49 years old, spent seven years in prison for robbery charges stemming from incidents in the 1990s. The news of his appointment was shared in a November 26 post on Instagram by Until Freedom, a social justice organization in New York City that Linen leads.

In response to a question about his choice, Mamdani stated, “We have gathered over 400 New Yorkers in 17 different committees. These individuals provide insight into city policy and politics—both successful and unsuccessful experiences. We’ll ensure their perspectives guide us as we build a city for everyone.”

Reports indicate that Linen, a native of the Bronx and a former artist with Def Jam, was convicted on two counts of felony robbery. In 1999, a jury found him guilty of stealing from taxi drivers. Testimonies revealed that he was part of a group that attacked a driver with a beer bottle and later robbed another driver at gunpoint.

During the trial, the taxi drivers identified Linen as one of the perpetrators. His defense team pointed to his career in music, claiming he was earning well, which seemingly provided no motive for the crime. He was eventually sentenced to seven years in prison, expressing at the time that he believed he was wrongfully accused.