Key Takeaways
Linda Fairstein sued Netflix for defamation, and the case was settled in June 2024. She was dropped by her book publisher and resigned from multiple non-profit and college boards. Elizabeth Lederer resigned from Columbia Law School in 2019 and retired from the District Attorney's Office in August 2021. Neither of the women involved in the prosecution has admitted wrongdoing or issued a public apology to the Exonerated Five.
Who Are Linda Fairstein and Elizabeth Lederer?
Linda Fairstein was the head of the sexual crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office between 1976 and 2002. It was during her tenure that the Central Park Five were convicted. Although she did not actively participate in the court proceedings, her behind-the-scenes role in directing the case was instrumental in securing the teenagers' convictions. Her colleague, Elizabeth Lederer, was the lead prosecutor in the Central Park Five case. She worked for many years as a senior trial counsel in the forensic and cold case unit at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. The former prosecutor also served in the labour racketeering unit in the construction industry, as well as the sexual crimes and career criminal units.
What Happened in the Central Park Five Case?
On 19 April 1989, Trisha Meili, an investment banker, was out jogging in Central Park when she was sexually assaulted and left for dead in a bush. This led to the arrest of six Black and Hispanic teenagers. The teenagers' names were Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise, and Steven Lopez. Steven Lopez's charges were later dropped. The five remaining teenagers were interrogated without legal counsel and their parents, leading to coerced confessions. They later recanted, stating that their confessions were the result of police coercion. Despite this, they were convicted and sentenced to between 7 and 13 years in prison. In 2002, thirteen years after the incident, the convictions were overturned when a serial violent offender named Matias Reyes confessed to the crime. His DNA matched the sample collected from the victim, confirming his guilt and exonerating the five.
The Central Park Five Sued New York City
Following their exoneration, the five men sued New York City for wrongful conviction and emotional trauma. After the release of the documentary The Central Park Five, which detailed the case, a massive settlement of $41 million was reached in 2014. In addition to the $41 million, each of the five men received $3.9 million as a second settlement in 2016 to cover their economic and emotional devastation. The amount was divided according to the years they spent in prison. Korey Wise, who served the most time in prison, received $1.5 million. Others received as follows: Raymond Santana ($500,000), Antron McCray ($600,000), and Yusef Salaam and Kevin Richardson ($650,000 each). Despite all charges being vacated, Linda Fairstein maintained that the five men were involved in other attacks in Central Park. In an article for the Wall Street Journal, Linda wrote: "Mr Reyes’s confession, DNA match and claim that he acted alone required that the rap charges against the five be vacated. I agreed with that decision and still do. But the other charges, for crimes against other victims, should not have been vacated." She continued: "Nothing Mr Reyes said exonerated these five of those attacks. And there was certainly more than enough evidence to support those convictions of first-degree assault, robbery, riot, and other charges."
Where Are Linda Fairstein and Elizabeth Lederer After 'When They See Us'?
The 2019 release of When They See Us recounted the case and highlighted the roles of key individuals, including Fairstein and Lederer. The show sparked widespread backlash, reigniting demands for justice, accountability, and transparency within the legal system. Social media campaigns and public petitions called for the removal of both women from their professional roles. Fairstein described the series as "so full of distortions and falsehoods as to be an outright fabrication." Amid mounting public pressure, Fairstein resigned from several organisations, including the board of Vassar College, her alma mater, and Safe Horizon, a non-profit supporting domestic abuse victims. Her reputation as a bestselling author suffered as well, with her long-time publisher severing ties. Fairstein filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix. The case, settled in June 2024, resulted in Netflix agreeing to donate $1 million to the Innocence Project and to include a disclaimer at the start of When They See Us. Fairstein did not receive any financial compensation, and she explained: "This is what this case was all about — not about ‘winning’ or about any financial restitution, but about my reputation and that of my colleagues. It was about setting the historical record straight that the villainous caricature invented by the defendants and portrayed on screen was not me."
Where Is Elizabeth Lederer Now?
Following the series’ release, the Columbia Black Law Students Association petitioned for the resignation of Prosecutor Elizabeth Lederer, who was then an adjunct lecturer at Columbia Law School. The law lecturer resigned in June 2019, stating she would not renew her teaching application due to the publicity surrounding the Netflix portrayal. Although she stepped down from teaching, Lederer continued to work as a senior trial counsel and Assistant District Attorney at the New York County District Attorney’s Office. She retired in August 2021 and has since led a private life. It is worth noting that Elisabeth Lederer Klimt, an Austrian figure associated with renowned painter Gustav Klimt, is an entirely different historical person and should not be confused with Elizabeth Lederer, the American prosecutor.
What Happened to Linda Fairstein?
Following the release of When They See Us, Linda Fairstein faced widespread backlash for her role in the prosecution of the Central Park Five. She resigned from several public positions and lost professional publishing partnerships.
Does Linda Fairstein Still Write?
As of May 2026, Linda Fairstein has not published a new novel since Blood Oath in 2019. Following the controversy surrounding When They See Us and the subsequent loss of her publishing deal, she has not announced any forthcoming titles. Linda Fairstein's backlist remains available through various retailers, but her once-prolific output has come to a standstill. Whether she will return to writing under a new publishing arrangement remains unknown. Fairstein obtained her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1972 and also earned a degree in English Literature from Vassar College in 1969. She began practising law in 1974 as an Assistant District Attorney and became the head of the sexual crimes unit in 1976. The American attorney led the unit for nearly three decades, during which she was involved in several high-profile cases, including that of the Central Park Five. She advocated for the rights of domestic violence and sexual assault victims. Aside from her distinguished legal career, Fairstein is also an accomplished author. She has published numerous non-fiction and crime fiction novels under the name Alexandra Cooper. Some of her works include Death Dance, Killer Heat, Lethal Legacy, Hell Gate, and Silent Mercy.
Did Linda Fairstein Apologise?
No. Linda Fairstein has consistently maintained that the miniseries misrepresented her actions. Neither she nor Elizabeth Lederer has issued an apology to the Exonerated Five. Elizabeth Lederer's apology remains absent, and the question of whether Linda Fairstein will ever apologise remains unanswered.
FAQs
How old is Elizabeth Lederer? Her exact date of birth is not publicly known, but she is believed to have been born in the early 1950s. Where does Linda Fairstein live? She lives with her husband, lawyer Michael Goldberg, in the Upper East Side of New York City, United States. Is Linda Fairstein a Democrat or a Republican? Fairstein has not publicly stated her political affiliation. However, based on her previous political donations and endorsements, she is believed to be a Democrat. Was Linda Fairstein compensated by Netflix? No, she did not receive financial compensation from the settlement with Netflix. However, Netflix agreed to donate $1 million to the Innocence Project and include a disclaimer at the beginning of When They See Us. What is the last book Linda Fairstein wrote? Blood Oath, published in March 2019, is the last book Linda Fairstein wrote. It is the 20th instalment in her Alexandra Cooper series and was released just months before When They See Us premiered on Netflix.
Linda Fairstein and Elizabeth Lederer have experienced significant professional setbacks and public condemnation in the years following the release of When They See Us. Fairstein resigned from several prominent organisations, while Lederer left her teaching post at Columbia Law School and retired from her prosecutorial role in 2021. They both chose a life away from public scrutiny.
