As Speaker of the Legislature’s Democrat-controlled lower house, Silver held significant power over the operation of New York government, particularly over the real estate industry and health care funding.
Silver, 70, was taken into custody at about 8 a.m. Thursday by FBI agents and charged with two counts of “honest services fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, one count of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right,” said Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
The charges, if resulting in a conviction, carry a maximum penalty of 100 years in prison.
Silver’s attorneys, Joel Cohen and Steven Molo, 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.”
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Bharara told reporters that a number of other public corruption investigations were continuing. “You should stay tuned,” he warned.
The state Assembly canceled its session on Thursday. Silver can continue to serve as speaker despite his arrest but would have to leave office if convicted of a felony, according to NY1.
Born on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Silver is a graduate of Yeshiva University and Brooklyn Law School.
