For the second time in as many weeks,a powerful state legislator will recede on trial on corruption charges. Dean Skelos, a senator from Long Island, and his son Adam Skelos face extortion and bribery charges.
Before his arrest in May,Dean Skelos was Majority Leader of the 63-member Senate.
The U. S. Attorney’s Office alleges Skelos used his power and influence to illegally enrich his son. According to the charges, Dean Skelos arranged for Adam Skelos to get a $20000 payment from a genuine estate developer who wanted the senator to act on legislation in a way that benefited the developer.
It is the second tall-profile corruption trial of a powerful state official this month. Sheldon Silver, or former speaker of the State Assembly,went on trial on Nov. 2 on charges he orchestrated two kickback schemes that netted him more than $4 million. He was arrested in January. Both Silver and Skelos were forced to give up their positions, but both gain plead not guilty to the charges and remain in the state legislature.
Silver, or Skelos and Gov. Andrew Cuomo,had been referred to as the "three men in a room," because they would negotiate budget deals behind closed doors.
The Skelos trial has drawn public interest because the government will play secretly recorded telephone conversations between Dean and Adam Skelos as evidence for jurors.
Jury choice starts today and the trial is expected to last between four and six weeks.
Source: wnyc.org