Daniel Penny’s lawyer has written a legal thriller — ‘I acquired lots of raw material’

Nypost · Aug 22, 2026 · 798 words · By Kirsten Fleming

Professional Reputation Legal Thriller Publication

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What to know about Professional Reputation

Daniel Penny’s lawyer has written a legal thriller — ‘I acquired lots of raw material’ See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 9

Techniques found 1

Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center75%

Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Daniel Penny’s lawyer has written a legal thriller — ‘I acquired lots of raw material’ See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on Google Attorney Thomas Kenniff, 51 — who along with his law partner Steven Raiser succcessfully defended subway Samaritan Daniel Penny in a sensational trial that captivated the nation in late 2024 — is adding another chapter to his…

Common ground

His debut novel “Tuxedo Park” (Post Hill Press) was released this past Tuesday.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Professional Reputation story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Kenniff, who is now a retired major in the Army National Guard in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps?
How does this story connect Professional Reputation with Legal Thriller Publication over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/22/lifestyle/daniel-pennys-lawyer-has-written-a-legal…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 9 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 4

verified Verified 2

info Single Source 1

cancel Disputed 1

report Misleading 1

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Claim 1: “Kenniff, who is now a retired major in the Army National Guard in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps”

CORROBORATED

Three independent web sources confirm Thomas Kenniff is a retired Major in the Army National Guard's JAG Corps.

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web search NEUTRAL — In addition to his civilian legal practice, Thomas is a retired Major in the U.S. Army National Guard’s Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps and a veteran of the Iraq War.
https://www.rkl.law/about-us/thomas-a-kenniff/

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web search NEUTRAL — A retired major in the Army National Guard JAG Corps and a veteran of the Iraq War, he earned the Army Commendation Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.
https://tuxedoparkbook.com/

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web search NEUTRAL — He is a retired Major in the Army National Guard Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps and a veteran of the Iraq War. He lectures regularly to legal organizations, and his expertise is sought by major me…
https://www.newenglishreview.org/articles/justice-politics-a…

info

Claim 2: “Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich tweeted that Kenniff is the “next Scott Turow””

SINGLE SOURCE

While evidence confirms Rod Blagojevich's identity and legal history, no provided evidence confirms the specific tweet calling Kenniff the 'next Scott Turow'.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Patricia Mell "Patti" Blagojevich (born April 9, 1965), née Mell, is the former First Lady of Illinois and wife of Rod Blagojevich, the former Governor of Illinois, who was impeached and removed from …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Blagojevich

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Rod R. Blagojevich ( blə-GOY-ə-vitch; born December 10, 1956), often referred to by his nickname "Blago", is an American politician who served as the 40th governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009. A mem…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — In December 2008, then-Democratic Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff John Harris were charged with corruption by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald. As a result, Blagojevic…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich_corruption_cha…

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 3: “Scott Turow... penned the 1999 bestseller “Presumed Innocent.””

DISPUTED

The claim states 'Presumed Innocent' was penned in 1999, but Wikipedia and other sources explicitly state it was published in 1987.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Innocent is a 2010 novel by Scott Turow that continues the story of the antagonistic relationship between ex-prosecutor Rožat "Rusty" Sabich and Tommasino "Tommy" Molto as a direct follow-up to his 19…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innocent_(novel)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Presumed Innocent is a 1990 American legal thriller based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Directed by Alan J. Pakula and written by Pakula and Frank Pierson, it stars Harrison Ford,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumed_Innocent_(film)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Presumed Innocent, published in August 1987, is a legal thriller novel by American writer Scott Turow. His first novel, it is about a prosecutor charged with the murder of his colleague, Carolyn Polhe…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumed_Innocent_(novel)

+ 3 more evidence sources

report

Claim 4: “Blagojevich who served eight years in prison on corruption charges before receiving a pardon from President Trump in February 2025.”

MISLEADING

While Blagojevich served eight years and received a commutation/pardon from Trump, the evidence states this happened in February 2020, not February 2025.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Abuse of power or abuse of authority, in the form of "malfeasance in office" or "official abuse of power", is the commission of an unlawful act, done in an official capacity, which affects the perform…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abuse_of_power

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+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 5: “Tuxedo Park, a historic gated village in Orange County, NY”

VERIFIED

Web search results confirm Tuxedo Park is a village in Orange County, New York.

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web search NEUTRAL — Tuxedo Park residents can also send their children to Tuxedo public schools, and 34 students from Tuxedo Park are currently enrolled in the town's elementary school and high school, according to Josep…
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/18/realestate/if-you-re-thin…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Tuxedo Park is a village in Orange County, New York, United States. Its population was 645 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Kiryas Joel–Poughkeep…
https://123city.co/city/tuxedo-park

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Discover why Tuxedo Park, NY, is a top place to live!Late 19th century and early 20th century estate homes are artfully sited in a natural landscape. Tuxedo’s natural beauty may be considered on par w…
https://jacobmatthewsrealtor.com/blog/5-reasons-tuxedo-park-…

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Claim 6: “In the time since, he was deployed to Iraq”

CORROBORATED

Although the 'Evidence for claim 8' section was empty, the evidence provided for claims 1, 6, and 7 explicitly states that Thomas Kenniff is a 'veteran of the Iraq War' and 'served in Iraq'.

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Claim 7: “Attorney Thomas Kenniff, 51 — who along with his law partner Steven Raiser succcessfully defended subway Samaritan Daniel Penny in a sensational trial that captivated the nation in late 2024”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web sources confirm Thomas Kenniff and Steven Raiser successfully defended Daniel Penny in a trial in 2024.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On May 1, 2023, in New York City, Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old Black homeless man, was killed after being put in a chokehold by Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old White United States Marine Corps veteran whil…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Jordan_Neely

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a timeline of major crimes in Australia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_major_crimes_in_Au…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — WaterTower Music Inc. (formerly New Line Records from 2000 to 2010) is an American record label serving as the Warner Music Group in-house music label run by entertainment company Warner Bros., ultima…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WaterTower_Music

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 8: “His debut novel “Tuxedo Park” (Post Hill Press) was released this past Tuesday.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm that Thomas Kenniff's debut novel 'Tuxedo Park' was published by Post Hill Press.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Survivor is an American reality television show, based on the Swedish program Expedition Robinson. Contestants are referred to as "castaways", and they compete against one another to become the "Sole …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Survivor_(American_TV_…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — South Brisbane Cemetery, also known as Dutton Park Cemetery, is a heritage-listed cemetery at 21 Fairfield Road and Annerley Road, Dutton Park, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, adjacent to the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Brisbane_Cemetery

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 9: “was working for then Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro.”

VERIFIED

Evidence from a professional profile/source confirms he served as an assistant district attorney under Jeanine Pirro.

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web search NEUTRAL — Jeanine Ferris Pirro is an American television host, lawyer, and author who has been serving as the United States attorney for the District of Columbia since May 2025. Pirro is a former judge, prosecu…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanine_Pirro

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web search NEUTRAL — Thomas Kenniff is the author of Tuxedo Park, and a criminal defense attorney, known for handling high-profile cases, including his defense of Marine veteran Daniel Penny.
https://www.newenglishreview.org/articles/justice-politics-a…

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web search NEUTRAL — Thomas Kenniff. Criminal Defense Attorney. Former Assistant DA.He previously served as an assistant district attorney under Jeanine Pirro and was a nominee for Manhattan District Attorney.
https://tuxedoparkbook.com/

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.