Cuomo to Paladino: Back up Silver claims or keep quiet

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Tuesday took up a spirited defense of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver against charges from rival Carl Paladino that Silver is "a criminal." At the same time, Cuomo introduced a state government reform proposal containing ideas Silver has resisted.

"Words have meanings," Cuomo, the Democratic nominee for governor, said at John Jay College on Manhattan's West Side.

"If he believes Sheldon Silver is a criminal, he should produce the evidence that shows he thinks Sheldon Silver is a criminal. Otherwise, he shouldn't say it."

Cuomo's comments came after Paladino, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, said at a Crain's breakfast forum that Silver is "a criminal" for blocking legislation that would require lawmakers to disclose outside income.

"The man is a criminal, OK," Paladino said. "He did it and in the meantime he's taking outside income from [Manhattan law firm] Weitz & Luxenberg. He's never reported it."

The "criminal" tag is the Paladino latest unflattering label for Silver (D-Manhattan). He's referred to the Assembly speaker as "the anti-Christ" and suggested he be sent to the state prison in Attica.

Silver, who has largely ignored Paladino's broadsides throughout the campaign, issued a reserved statement Tuesday afternoon.

"It is unfortunate that New Yorkers are being forced to endure the insulting and baseless hectoring of the Republican candidate for governor," Silver said. "I will not get into the gutter with Mr. Paladino, nor dignify his comments with a response. Rather, I will let New Yorkers judge his fitness for public office."

Meanwhile, Cuomo introduced his government reform plan with the campaign's fourth policy book, a 74-page tome, "Clean Up Albany."

His proposals would require all state legislators to disclose outside income - a reform Silver has resisted - strip pensions from lawmakers convicted of crimes, create independent, nonpartisan redistricting, and create public financing of campaigns.

Silver spokesman Bill Wise said the speaker "is open to a full and complete discussion of ethics disclosure with this governor or the next governor," but declined to say if Silver has a position on Cuomo's proposals.

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, who fought epic political battles with Cuomo's father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, endorsed the attorney general Tuesday.

Koch praised Cuomo and defended Silver while also touting the financial disclosure requirements Silver has resisted.

"I've known Shelly Silver for 40 years," Koch said. "I disagree with him on different aspects of government. He's not a criminal. It's an outrage. . . . Who wants to be in a situation where someone who doesn't care about common decency can say anything they want?"

On Cuomo, Koch said: "I believe he will make a great governor. His father was a great governor. And I believe that there is a certain nobility in carrying on that tradition."

With Michael Amon