New York, NY – Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a backroom master whose name was synonymous with political power in New York for a generation, was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in prison, destined to take his place atop the state’s crowded lineup of crooked politicians behind bars.
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Silver, a 72-year-old Manhattan Democrat, lowered his head slightly and closed his eyes briefly as a stern U.S. Judge Valerie Caproni announced his fate.
“I hope the sentence I impose upon you will make other politicians think twice until their better angels take over — or, if there are no better angels, perhaps the fear of living out his golden years in an orange jumpsuit,” said Caproni, who also ordered Silver to forfeit $5.3 million and pay a $1.75 million fine.
Silver led the Assembly for more than two decades before he became the centerpiece of one of New York’s steepest political falls from grace. He was convicted last year in a $5 million corruption case alleging he traded favors to enrich himself and then lied about it.
“I believe in the justice system, and we will pursue all remedies that are available,” Silver said as he left court. He’s free on bail for now; he’s scheduled to report to prison July 1.
His sentencing was a marquee moment in Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara’s quest to clean up a state government he has called a “cauldron of corruption.”
More than 30 other state lawmakers have left office under a cloud of criminal or ethical allegations since 2000. More than a dozen have been convicted of charges including authorizing bribes to get on a ballot, diverting money meant for community programs into a campaign and skimming funds from contributions to a Little League baseball program. Only Democratic former Assemblyman William Boyland Jr., convicted of taking bribes, is serving a longer sentence than Silver’s.
Silver’s former state Senate counterpart, Republican ex-Majority Leader Dean Skelos, is due to be sentenced later this month on his own corruption conviction. Skelos was found guilty, at a separate trial, of using his position to arrange payments and a job for his son.
Bharara called Silver’s sentence “a just and fitting end to Sheldon Silver’s long career of corruption.”
The gray-haired, bespectacled Silver was first elected in 1976 and served as speaker for 21 years, becoming the classic Albany insider with the power to control bills and state spending singlehandedly in behind-the-scenes negotiations. Known for his often inscrutable comments and wary, phlegmatic demeanor, Silver gained the nickname “the Sphinx.”
Prosecutors say Silver came to trade his office for $4 million in kickbacks from a cancer researcher and real estate developers. In a pre-sentencing filing, prosecutors also said he’d abused his position by giving preferential professional treatment to two women with whom he had extramarital affairs. He helped one get a state government job, prosecutors said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Cohen said Tuesday that Silver had been protected for years by systems he put in place to cover up his crimes, including measures to restrict disclosures of outside income.
Silver told the judge Tuesday he had let down his family, colleagues and constituents.
“I’m truly, truly sorry for that,” he said.
His lawyers sought a sentence of community service and house arrest, saying Silver still could help the public and noting that he has been treated for prostate cancer over the last year.
Silver and Skelos comprised two of the so-called “three men in a room” who control state government. The third man, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, promised sweeping reforms to New York’s anti-corruption laws after last year’s convictions. But so far, there has been no significant action.
Bharara also is investigating Cuomo’s office, looking into potential conflicts of interest and improper bidding in a signature state economic development program in Buffalo. The prosecutor also is examining consulting work done by one of Cuomo’s former top aides in 2014, when the aide spent eight months on leave. In response, Cuomo’s administration is conducting an internal review.
unbelievable. tragic day for all politicians. when the malachy chabuleh wants you they will go all the way to place you in the slammer.
Oy nebach nebach an older man to end his life in such a way.
As Yidden it is not our job to judge another Yid and to be condemned. He had his day in court.
But it should send a very strong message to the Modern Orthodox community who seek on a daily basis to find fault in the frum community.They are particular critical how we try on constant basis to make more and more chumras to separate the men and women. Accusing the Frum community that we are so obsessed and afraid that we cant resist urges when we are with women.
HERE we have a highly educated intelligent person but when he had the opportunity he unfortunately fell for it. I dont have to spell it out you all know what im referring to.
More to come from Rock land’s frum developers. The public has had enough of our schemes. May Shelly and his convicted son in law show remorse . We never feel like apologies are beneficial. ….they are.
everyone just be quiet. do not gloat about some else’s tzuris.
if you don’t want to have rachmanos so be it, but don’t be nasty and speak loshon hora. just leave it be.
Classic example of the USDOJ & Preet going after victimless crimes (which this is not even) to advance their names & careers.
Silver has a law degree and was 100% entitled to collect fees, including referral fees. He declared the income, as required, and PAID income taxes on it.
All the government needed was a SPIN.
A shaky Doctor, the recipient of a $500k grant coming from ‘DISCRETIONARY’ monies that Silver guided towards their organization, which by the way helped CANCER RESEARCH for sick people, who really need ALL the help they can get, SUGGESTING that perhaps this was done to STEER new patients to SILVER’s law firm….Wow…..How convincing. And this? Enough to CONVICT a lawmaker for CORRUPTION? And, FORFEIT $5.3m. (10x the amount in question) monies that HE PAID TAXES ON.
Is the Legal System on Crack? Seriously? To take a man’s life, legacy, accomplishments,for society, and flush it all down over one questionable discretionary Grant?
And yet, Hillary, with MOUNTAINS of evidence against her, knowingly breaking the law to the DETRIMENT of US Ctizens who died because of her and her phoney actions,..as she continues to evade the Justice System…and not a boo
Shaky case, Shaky Witness, Shaky Prosecutor.
He is going to NO DOUBT win on APPEAL
Nebech, nebech what a terrible tragedy for his family.
This is a sad day for Klal Yisroel. I hope and pray Shelly will win on Appeal. The higher courts have already indicated that’s in order for the government to prove illegal quid pro quo/exchange the evidence has to be explicit and clear for the government to prove an illegal quid pro quo/exchange the evidence has to be explicit and clear and not based on theory. Let’s see how this plays out.
Chillul hashem someone?
I cannot understand the outpouring of sympathy, for the convicted defendant in this case. There is an old saying that “if you do the crime, you do the time”. There are thousands of criminal defendants who are sentenced USA to jail, in the USA, every single week. They have no no political connections, and people could care less, about their fate. Yes, it is a shanda when this problem strikes our community. However, when war criminals are prosecuted, people always state that “age should not be a defense”. Therefore, why should it be a defense or a mitigating factor in this case? Should white collar criminals, who have stolen much more than common street criminals, receive leniency, because they have committed theft, without violence? Please!!
Slime is slime is slime,
and: Scum is scum is scum –
even if you are a Yid and wear a black hat.
OK now, start telling me about my loshon horrah.