Silver OK with probe into Vito Lopez settlement

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he has no problems with the state looking into his controversial settlement that was made against Assemblyman Vito Lopez for a sexual harassment case.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, Albany's watchdog, should fully investigate the charges against Lopez, 71.

Although the governor declined to comment whether the JCOPE should also look at the $103,000 settlement for a previous sexual harassment case against Lopez, Silver said he has no qualms.

"Those facts will show that any decision by the Assembly to enter into any settlement agreement was both legal and ethical," he said.