Lawyers move to get case against former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver tossed
Former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) leaves Southern District Federal Court in Manhattan after his arraignment on corruption charges on Feb. 24, 2015. Credit: Anthony Lanzilote
Lawyers for former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver moved to dismiss his Manhattan federal court indictment on Thursday, claiming that because of technical legal defects, it failed to allege a real crime.
Silver was charged in January with corruptly steering real estate legislation and medical research funds in return for legal referral fees from property tax abatement cases and asbestos litigation.
But his lawyers argue that because it wasn't a simple bribery scheme in which he got money from a victim who was extorted, what the government alleged was "mere conflicts of interest or self-dealing" -- not a crime under federal law.
Silver, 71, resigned from his post as speaker after the charges, but continues to represent his Manhattan district.
Hochul, Blakeman poll, home heating oil prices rise, and deer population explodes. Here's a look at some of the exclusive stories you may have missed this week on NewsdayTV.
Hochul, Blakeman poll, home heating oil prices rise, and deer population explodes. Here's a look at some of the exclusive stories you may have missed this week on NewsdayTV.
