Federal Judge Valerie Caproni delivered a scathing assessment of ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s crimes-and sentenced him to 12 years in federal prison and a $1.75 million fine.
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Senator Susan Serino, a Republican from Hyde Park, said “real ethics reform” is needed, starting with term limits and a forfeiture of public pensions by those found guilty of a felony.
Moments before Silver was sentenced, his successor in the Assembly, Alice Cancel, who won a special election last month, was seated for the first time.
Sentencing guidelines called for 22 to 27 years, reports the New York Law Journal (sub. req.), but Caproni rejected them as “draconian”.
Silver’s successor as Assembly Speaker, Carl Heastie, says it’s a sign that the Assembly is moving on from a low point.
Judge Caproni dismissed Mr. Silver’s claims that his activities did “no discernible harm”, insisting that his activities likely led to the misallocation of government funds-as well as to “intangible” damage to the public’s trust in democratic institutions.
At the sentencing, the judge acknowledged Silver was a gifted politician who went above and beyond.
“Today’s stiff sentence is a just and fitting end to Sheldon Silver’s long career of corruption Bharara tweeted”.
Cuomo remained secluded in New York City Tuesday, the day after he was peppered with questions about subpoenas served on his former top aide and campaign manager, Joseph Percoco, who is under investigation for taking money from entities with business interests before the state.
Count 5: Extortion (asbestos scheme) Silver used the influence of his Assembly Speaker position to persuade Manhattan doctor Robert Taub to give Silver’s law firm cancer patient referrals.
Prosecutors had sought to make an example of Silver and asked that he get a harsher sentence than other state legislators convicted of corruption.
Silver’s lawyers have cited his efforts after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy to aid his community, including personally delivering food supplies to a lower Manhattan apartment building after the devastating storm.
But will Silver’s sentence prove to be a deterrent?
Sheldon Silver’s vacated Assembly seat was officially filled Tuesday – the same day he was sentenced on corruption charges – by a successor handpicked by his allies.
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As his sentencing approached, Silver turned contrite, admitting that he “failed the people of New York” – though without specifically saying how he’d failed.
