Politics

NY speaker Sheldon Silver to temporarily cede power as he fights charges

January 26, 2015 By David Klepper Associated Press

In this Jan. 22 file photo, New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is transported by federal agents to federal court in New York. Even after his arrest on federal corruption charges, Silver remains one of the most powerful politicians in New York. AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File

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ALBANY— The speaker of the state Assembly fought to keep his position amid federal corruption charges Monday with a plan to temporarily cede power to five lieutenants while contenders and critics sought to topple the veteran lawmaker.

Sheldon Silver, a Manhattan Democrat, intends to tap a small number of senior lawmakers to direct the Assembly while he fights charges that he used his position to obtain millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks masked as legitimate income.

“The speaker is not stepping down,” said spokesman Michael Whyland. “This will give him the flexibility he needs so that he can defend himself against these charges.”

Silver was taken into custody Thursday morning by the FBI and was released later in the day on $200,000 bail. He faces five counts including conspiracy and bribery.

Several top lawmakers professed their loyalty to Silver on Thursday — even though Majority Leader Joseph Morelle acknowledged that he hadn’t yet read the criminal complaint against him.

But on Monday there was evidence that Silver’s grip on the position he’s held for 21 years was weakening. His plan to delegate authority seemed designed to placate Democrats concerned that Silver would become a political liability and distraction.

Republicans, meanwhile, were expected to force a vote on whether Silver should continue as speaker. The GOP holds only 44 seats in the 150-seat chamber.

The criminal complaint said there was probable cause to believe that Silver obtained about $4 million in payments characterized as attorney referral fees through the corrupt use of his official position as one of the state’s most powerful politicans.

Silver’s attorney, Joel Cohen, calls the charges “meritless.” Whyland said Silver is “confident that he will be found innocent.”