Former state assembly speaker traded favors to accrue $5m illegallyDefense argued Silver was just practicing politics as usualFormer New York assembly speaker Sheldon Silver,once one of the states most powerful politicians, was convicted on Monday of charges that he traded favors to earn $5m illegally and then lied approximately it. A Manhattan federal court jury returned the verdict after a three-week trial in which prosecutors claimed that the 71-year-weak Democrat repeatedly promised the favors to enrich himself. The defense countered that the government was trying to criminalize the longtime routines of politics in Albany. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com