US Attorney Announces Multiple Indictments of State Legislators, Others, in Corruption Cases

In what can only be described as an active week, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announced two sets of indictments this week.

On Tuesday, State Senator Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) was arrested on charges stemming from a scheme to bribe city Republican officials into letting him on the ballot for this fall’s New York City mayoral election. Six people were arrested in a complex arrangement best understood by viewing the U.S. Attorney’s chart. Get background on each official involved here. Read the indictment here.

Smith is a member of the Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference, which is part of the Senate Majority Coalition. Senator Jeff Klein, IDC leader, stripped Smith of his committee assignments and conference leadership position.

News coverage: YNN, WNYC, the New York Times, and the Times Union.

Yesterday, Bharara announced second set of corruption charges. Assemblyman Eric Stevenson (D-Bronx), is accused of taking money to help several developers obtain building certificates, expedite construction work at adult day care centers. A second Assembly member, Nelson Castro (D-Bronx), was cooperating with federal prosecutors, and said he will resigns a result of the scheme. Read the indictment here.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver encouraged Stephenson’s resignation.

News coverage: AP, Times Union, NY Times, and Politicker.