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New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Arrested in Corruption Case

The powerful speaker of the New York State Assembly, Sheldon Silver, was arrested on federal corruption charges on Thursday, sending shock waves through the political establishment and upending the new legislative session.

The powerful speaker of the New York State Assembly, Sheldon Silver, was arrested on federal corruption charges on Thursday, sending shock waves through the political establishment and upending the new legislative session.

 

Mr. Silver, a Democrat from the Lower East Side of Manhattan who has served as speaker for more than two decades, surrendered to Federal Bureau of Investigation agents early Thursday morning in Lower Manhattan, law enforcement officials said.

 

Mr. Silver, before entering 26 Federal Plaza, said, “I hope I’ll be vindicated.”

 

Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District, who led the investigation, is expected to provide more details about the charges at a 1 p.m. news conference.

 

The federal inquiry focused on payments that Mr. Silver received from a small law firm that specializes in seeking reductions of New York City real estate taxes.

 

While it is legal for lawmakers to hold outside jobs, investigators said Mr. Silver failed to list the payments from the firm, Goldberg & Iryami, on his annual financial disclosure filings with the state.

 

In the past, Mr. Silver has been criticized for his outside law practice, a lucrative career that supplements the $121,000 he earns as speaker.

 

In 2013, Mr. Silver earned at least $650,000 in legal income, including work for the personal injury law firm, Weitz & Luxenberg, according to his most recent financial disclosure filing.

 

But what he does to earn that income has long been a mystery in Albany, and Mr. Silver has refused to provide details about his work.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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