Assembly Speaker Arrested on Public Corruption Charges; Will Resign Speakership Tomorrow

On Jan. 22^nd, federal prosecutors arrested long-time Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) on corruption charges. A five-count complaint filed in Manhattan alleges that Silver accepted millions of dollars in kickbacks and bribes “masked as legitimate income.” (Read the U.S. Attorney’s press release here.)

According to the complaint, Silver received over $3 million in a scheme that brought asbestos referrals to a law firm at which he was ‘Of Counsel’ through a doctor who then received $500,000 in state funds for research, as well as additional benefits. The complaint also alleges that used his position to steer real estate business to an unnamed law firm, for which he received $700,000 in “undisclosed bribes and kickbacks.”

Silver has denied any wrongdoing, telling reporters “I am confident that when all the issues are aired, I will be vindicated.”

Over two days last week, Assembly Democrats debated the issue behind closed doors, ultimately deciding that Speaker Silver no longer had their support. Late last Friday, Silver submitted a letter resigning his post as Assembly speaker effective this coming Tuesday.

As is typical in the wake of such events in Albany, newspaper editorial boards around the state are calling for reform of the state’s ethics laws.  Read editorials from the New York Times, the Journal News,  the Syracuse Post-Standard, the Buffalo News and the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.