Former Bronx State Sen. Velella dies at 66

Guy Velella, the former Republican politician from the Bronx whose career ended in scandal, died Thursday morning after suffering from lung cancer, according to published reports. He was 66.

Velella, once an assemblyman and senator in Albany, had served less than 200 days in jail after a 2004 conviction for bribery conspiracy. He and his father were accused of pocketing money from companies that in turn received state contracts.

As a politician, Velella was once considered one of the most powerful legislators in Albany. He sponsored a bill to raise the state’s minimum wage.