A judge says New York’s former Senate majority leader can remain free on bail while appealing extortion and bribery convictions.

Manhattan Judge Kimba Wood ruled Thursday. She said Dean Skelos, a Republican, and his son, Adam, raised a substantial question on appeal in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling.

The father and son were convicted last year of extortion, conspiracy and bribery. Earlier this year, Wood sentenced Dean Skelos to five years in prison and the son to 6 ½ years in prison.

Another judge is deciding whether to let former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat, remain free pending appeal of his conviction in a $5 million bribery case.

The Supreme Court appeared to alter existing law when it recently reversed a former Virginia governor’s conviction.

(AP)