Former New York Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver is asking to remain free pending appeal of his criminal conviction.

Lawyers for the Democrat say Friday the U.S. Supreme Court is considering changing the limits of a law used to convict him. They say the change may cause a reversal of Silver’s conviction.

The 72-year-old Manhattan resident was sentenced last week to 12 years in prison in a $5 million corruption case.

The lawyers also asked U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni to block collection of a $1.75 million fine and $5.3 forfeiture order until appeals are completed. They say he otherwise will have to sell homes he jointly owns with his wife.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan declined comment. Silver is scheduled to report to prison July 1.

(AP)