Federal authorities arrested NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on corruption charges Thursday.
The New York Daily News reported shortly after 8 a.m. that Silver was in FBI custody.
The newspaper says it is unclear what charges the Manhattan Democrat would face but say the case stems from “payments that Mr. Silver received from a small law firm that specializes in seeking reductions of New York City real estate taxes.”
It is unclear how much Silver received, the newspaper reported.
The investigation got its start as part of a Moreland Commission panel Gov. Andrew Cuomo established during his first term and then abruptly shutdown. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara took the records of the panel’s work and pursued several incomplete investigations.
Silver, a 70-year-old who has been leader of the Assembly for more than two decades, shared the stage of Cuomo and other state leaders during Cuomo’s State of the State address on Wednesday.
Silver has been speaker since Feb. 11, 1994. In the two decades since, he’s been the Assembly’s primary budget negotiator and a powerful force who has served through five different governors.
Earlier this year, Silver was overwhelmingly re-elected speaker, despite early dissension from newly elected Assemblyman Charles Barron, D-Brooklyn.
(Source: Times Union)
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13 Responses
When will Al Sharpton be arrested the same thing?
when will Al Sharpton be arrested for the same thing?
while I do not rejoice over his downfall. The bigger chillul hashem is Shelly Silver promoting gay marriage. The Catholic church could not believe it either that Mr Silver would promote gay marriage as an Orthodox Jew if not for him gay marriage in New York would be illegal this might be a sign from G-d that don’t do things contrary to your belief
Is he being charged with gross immorality for having supported toeiva?
So this walking talking Chillul Hashem will walk scot free while Reb Sholom M. Rubashkin sits in prison for 27 years?
Btw, Charles Barron has been very vocal AGAINST Gay marriage.
1. Mr. Silver is clearly guilty of associating with know criminals (but that’s true of all professional politicians, and no one wants to relocate the state legislature to Sing Sing). All frum politicians have the problem that politics is about compromising with people you don’t agree with.
2. Unless there was a clear “quid pro quo”, such payments could easily be considered campaign contributions or legal referral fees (which are dubious legally in many cases, but not criminal). Note that Silver has nothing to do with the collection of New York City taxes, and for most of the period wasn’t even the same party as the mayor (who does control city tax collection).
3. If it is a suit based on depriving the citizenry of his honest services, it may be on shaky legal grounds.
Sorry, no compassion for him. 20 years and not once allowing a school choice bill on the table. The biggest problem facing Jews (and Catholics alike) he could less about. What is the point of getting into power if you aren’t going to use to promote fairness for your own people.
Barron has more of our interests in mind that Silver, he is against toeiva marriage and open to supporting vouchers.
Sad day!
It’s just not a good omen for frummer Yidden. Yes, the church was surprised at that horrific judgment call he stupidly made, the Ribono Shel Oilam was very disappointed that day as were us, His chosen nation, but this even of today is sadly viewed as a reflection of us all – not as a Yochid’s inappropriate action.
The goyim have a term ‘to jew someone’ when they refer to crookedness in business!
It’s not good for us!
He happens to be a chareidi yid.
In general , even if he sits in a govt position caution must be taken not to speak lashon horah.
is he frum?
To 11 Luckshun Kugel; Yes he is frum, davens at the Biyalistocker on the LES and in the summer is at Vacation Village
People need to be careful about Loshon Horah when talking about him. I don’t like a lot of things that he has done, but he is Jewish and Frum (Modern Orthodox), so be careful about Loshon Horah
#3 #4 #5 & #8
well said
#10
what in the world are you talking about