One of New York’s most powerful politicians has been taken into federal custody.
New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested Thursday morning was arrest on corruption charges.
Charges outlined in the criminal complaint say Silver is accused of “using the power and influence of his official position to obtain for himself millions of dollars of bribes and kickbacks masked as legitimate income.”
He has been charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, and extortion.
The democrat was taken to 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, law enforcement told the NY Daily News, where he will appear later in the day for arraignment.
Before entering into the building, the democrat said, “I hope I’ll be vindicated.”
The criminal complaint stated that Silver had a scheme “to induce real estate developers with business before the state” to use a real estate law firm controlled by an attorney that had had once worked under Silver.
This attorney, the document stated, had arranged payments to Silver in exchange for referrals to the law firm.
“There is probable cause to believe that Silver received approximately $4 million in payments characterized as attorney referral fees solely through the corrupt use of his official position.”
United States attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara led the investigation and will be holding a news conference at 1 p.m. ET.
Silver’s lawyers, Joel Cohen and Steven Molio, said in a statement: “We’re disappointed that the prosecutors have chosen to proceed with these meritless criminal charges. That said, Mr. Silver looks forward to responding to them — in court — and ultimately his full exoneration.”
Featured image: New York Times / Michael Appleton
