A federal jury finds former New York Senate leader Joseph Bruno guilty on two counts of corruption and not guilty on five others after a landmark trial that exposed Albany’s practice of influence peddling by lawmakers.

The jurors tell U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe that they can’t come to a decision on the eighth charge.

Bruno, once one of the state’s most powerful politicians, faced eight fraud charges and was accused of denying New Yorkers his honest services while enriching himself in the amount of $3.2 million by using his state influence. He consulted for three businessmen and solicited union pension investments from labor unions on behalf of two companies.

Last Tuesday, jurors first  told Judge Gary Sharpe they were unable to agree on six of the eight charges against the 80-year-old retired politician. The jurors reheard testimony about Bruno’s sideline business interests and Senate attorneys’ advice on conflicts of interest and public disclosures.

Bruno insisted he did nothing wrong.

(Source: WCBSTV)