A judge says a former New York Assembly speaker sentenced to 12 years in prison in a public corruption case can wait until late August to report to prison.

The U.S. District Court judge signed an order Wednesday permitting Democrat Sheldon Silver to remain free until Aug. 31 so the Supreme Court can rule in a case that could affect his conviction. Silver was supposed to report to prison July 1 after being convicted of pocketing $5 million illegally.

A judge earlier this week issued an order letting former Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos remain free on bail through the summer so the judge can consider the effect of any Supreme Court ruling. Skelos was sentenced to five years in prison in his public corruption case.

Silver and Skelos have denied acting illegally.

(AP)