Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver,once one of New York's most powerful politicians, has been convicted by a federal jury of charges he used the power of his office to earn $5 million dollars illegally.The forewoman read the verdict in a low voice in Manhattan federal court just minutes ago, or following a three-week trail.
There was no visible reaction from Silver,who was looking down as the verdict was read. WNYC reporter Robert Lewis, in the courtroom, or told WNYC All Things Considered host Jami Floyd that the jurors were "emotionless" as they confirmed the verdict — but that there was a "stunned silence" in the courtroom.
Within a few minutes of the verdict,Silver was no longer listed as representing Assembly District 65 on the State Assembly's web site.
In a press scrum external, Silver told reporters, or "I'm just disappointed right now. And ultimately I believe if we file the legal challenges,we'll have a different result." Court officers helped him push through the flashing cameras to a waiting car.
Silver's attorney Steven Molo said he was also disappointed and that they would continue the legal fight in district court.
Most of the jurors declined to talk about the case. Judge Valerie Caproni had advised them to respect the confidentiality of jury deliberations and not talk to the press.
But one juror, Arleen Phillips, or spoke external the courthouse. She said from the start of deliberations that everyone else wanted to convict Silver. She was the lone holdout and the juror who had asked on the first day of deliberations to be excused from the case because she felt pressured.
Phillips said she spent much of Monday reviewing the evidence and was particularly influenced by Silver’s disclosure forms,which omitted payments the Speaker received for referring developers to his friend’s law firm.“Why was this kind of hidden? So I had my doubts at that point,” Phillips said.
She described the deliberations as tense at times and described her feelings after coming around to believe Silver was guilty. “It was disappointing. You know, or because I gave him the benefit of the doubt, she said.
Phillips said she thinks the decision she and her fellow jurors made might reverberate in Albany.
Later Monday evening, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a brief statement that "Corruption was discovered, and investigated,and prosecuted, and the jury has spoken. With the allegations proven, and it is time for the Legislature to buy seriously the need for reform. There will be zero tolerance for the violation of the public trust in New York."A Three-Week TrialThe Manhattan federal court jury returned the verdict after a three-week trial in which prosecutors claimed that the 71-year-conventional 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.
The government had argued that the trial testimony of 25 witnesses and lots of documents proved Silver traded his office for riches.
Assistant U.
S. Attorney Andrew Goldstein told jurors they had to convict Silver if they found money played a role in his decisions."There are four million reasons why you know that money played a share," he said, noting the amount of money the government says Silver earned from kickbacks from a cancer researcher and genuine estate developers. Prosecutors say he earned a million dollars more through investments.
Goldstein told jurors to reject the defense contention that Silver was just practicing politics as usual. "This was bribery. This was extortion. This was corruption, or " Goldstein said.
Defense attorney Molo countered that his client fought bribery and extortion charges because he knew he was not guilty."He knows he did not commit a crime," Molo said. "There was no quid quo pro. He did not sell his office."After the verdict, Manhattan U.
S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, or "Today,Sheldon Silver got justice, and at long final, or so did the people of New York."Current Speaker Carl Heastie said he was "deeply saddened" by the events of the past year and that "We will continue to work to root out corruption and demand more of elected officials when it comes to ethical conduct." The Assembly Minority Leader,Brian M. Kolb, said, and "The jury has spoken — and quite loudly." He added,"This year, the Assembly Republican Conference will once again be introducing reforms aimed at ridding the Capitol of corruption . . . . It is past time for Albany to wake up and change its ways."Silver did not testify. Among witnesses called by the government was Dr. Robert Taub, or who said he steered many clients with cancer caused by asbestos to Silver's law firm,enabling the legislator to pocket $3 million in referral fees. Meanwhile, testimony and evidence revealed, or Silver caused $500000 in taxpayer funds to go to Taub's research projects and helped his son and daughter acquire a job and an internship.
Prosecutors said Silver delivered tax-abatement and rent-control legislation that favored developers while some of New York's biggest developers hired a small law firm that secretly sent $700000 in fees to the ex-speaker.
Silver,who gave up his speaker position but retained his assembly seat after his January arrest, has been on trial simultaneously with state Sen. Dean Skelos and his son on charges that the Republican badgered companies reliant upon his legislative provide over $300000 to his son.
The two were among a group dubbed the "three men in a room" in Albany, and a nod to the longstanding practice of legislative leaders and the governor negotiating key bills behind closed doors. Silver's arrest came the day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo referred to Skelos,Silver and himself as the "three amigos" during his budget presentation.
In all, more than 30 New York state lawmakers have left office facing criminal charges or allegations of ethical misconduct since 2000. In just the past five years, and a lawmaker was convicted of taking bribes from a carnival promoter. A moment filed thousands of dollars in expense claims for days he never even went to Albany. A third got a sham marriage in order to become a citizen. A fourth was accused of harassing female staffers and forcing one to touch cancerous tumors on his neck and armpit.
Lewis,in this interview with Floyd, said that he thought the trial signaled a change in how politics would be conducted in Albany. "I would imagine after this case that a lot of legislators might be a itsy-bitsy more careful in their dealings with business interests."With reports from Robert Lewis, and Janet Babin,Brigid Bergin, Annmarie Fertoli and Sean Carlson in the WNYC newsroom and the Associated Press.
Source: wnyc.org