NEW YORK (Sputnik) — A US jury found former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver guilty of seven counts of corruption ranging from fraud to extortion, US Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement.
"Today, Sheldon Silver got justice, and at long last, so did the people of New York," Bharara said Monday.
Silver, 71, was arrested on January 22 on allegations that he collected nearly $4 million in bribes and kickbacks related to real estate, healthcare and referral fees, all of which were misrepresented as outside legal fees, according to prosecutors.
Prior to his arrest, Silver served as New York State’s top democratic lawmaker — speaker of the State Assembly. Silver was elected speaker in 1976 and stepped down in February 2015.
Silver faces up to 130 years in prison as he awaits sentencing by a US judge.
