The powerful speaker of the New York State Assembly, Sheldon Silver, was arrested on federal corruption charges on Thursday, sending shock waves through the political establishment and upending the new legislative session.
Mr. Silver, a Democrat from the Lower East Side of Manhattan who has served as speaker for more than two decades, surrendered to Federal Bureau of Investigation agents early Thursday morning in Lower Manhattan, law enforcement officials said.
Mr. Silver, before entering 26 Federal Plaza, said, “I hope I’ll be vindicated.”
The investigation of Mr. Silver began after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in March abruptly shut down an anticorruption commission he had created in 2013.
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State lawmakers who are arrested can continue to serve. Upon conviction of a felony they must leave office.
Before he makes his initial court appearance, he will processed by federal agents. Generally, people facing charges are fingerprinted and photographed, have a DNA swab taken and are checked for tattoos.
Sandra E. Garcia and Marc Santora contributed reporting.
