New York state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver charged with fraud in corruption probe
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, considered one of the 3 most powerful men in state government, accused of taking US$4m in bribes, kickbacks
New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one of the state's most powerful politicians for more than two decades, has been charged with pocketing US$4 million from bribery and kickback schemes.
Silver, a Democrat who has served as the highest-ranking state assemblyman since 1994, was accused in a federal criminal complaint in New York, as authorities moved to seize US$3.8 million in proceeds tied to the alleged corruption.
The 70-year-old Silver, a lawyer who represents Manhattan's Lower East Side, is known as one of Albany's three most powerful men, alongside Governor Andrew Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. He has been a leading voice in years of negotiations over state budgets and key legislation.
The Assembly cancelled its Thursday session following Silver's arrest, less than two weeks after the new legislative session opened.
Silver would lose his seat if convicted of any of five felony counts and faces a maximum of 20 years of prison on each count.
He became the latest addition to a long line of New York politicians implicated in corruption scandals. At least 30 New York politicians have faced legal or ethics charges since 2000.