He is expected to appear in court later Thursday afternoon.
“There is probable cause to believe Silver obtained about $4 million in payments characterized as attorney referral fee solely through the corrupt use of his official position,” the criminal complaint states.
The 70-year-old Silver has served as speaker for over 20 years and is considered one of the most powerful Democrats in the state.
He faces charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and extortion.
The FBI began investigating Silver’s financial accounts after Governor Andrew Cuomo shut down an anti-corruption initiative called the Moreland Commission.
According to the New York Post, Silver received donations totaling $7,600 from the law firm, which the speaker did not list on financial-disclosure forms.
Silver also reported $750,000 of income he received from a different firm, Weitz & Luxenberg.
“I can’t speak to the specific charges,” Democratic District Leader Paul Newell told the Post. “But I can say that outside income for legislators is a certain recipe for corruption. Speaker Silver…should have banned it long ago.”
Silver has also been accused of cronyism for his involvement in the Vito Lopez sexual-harassment case, in which he authorized $700,000 of public money be used to hire Lopez’s defense attorneys.
“We’re disappointed that the prosecutors have chosen to proceed with these meritless criminal charges,” Silver’s attorneys said in a statement. “That said, Mr. Silver looks forward to responding to them – in court – and ultimately his full exoneration.”
Governor Cuomo has also come under fire after closing the Moreland Commission. He used $100,000 from his campaign re-election fund to hire defense lawyers.
Silver can continue to serve in the state legislature, unless he is convicted of a felony.
