Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson announced Tuesday that he’s been diagnosed with cancer.
“As a man of intense faith, I intend to fight and win the battle against this disease,” Thompson said in a news release disclosing the diagnosis.
Thompson did not elaborate about the diagnosis. Chief Assistant Eric Gonzalez will fill in for Thompson when he is absent during treatment and recovery, the DA’s office said.
RELATED: Brooklyn D.A. to pay $15,000 fine for dining out on office funds Thompson, who was sworn in as DA in 2014, hasn’t been seen around the office much since May, theNew York Post reported. His staff was told the 50-year-old prosecutor was working from home due to a bad back and found out about the cancer diagnosis through Thompson’s statement, the Post reported.
Statement from Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson: pic.twitter.com/mtQpN5Jubn
— Ken Thompson (@BrooklynDA) October 4, 2016
The last time Thompson was seen in public in his official capacity was on July 18 when he discussed the national gun crisis at a Reuters news agency event,New York Daily News reported. “I thank you in advance for your prayers and look forward to rejoining you on the battlefield for justice,” Thompson wrote, endinghis statement.