Corrupt New York Machine Politician Sheldon Silver Convicted on All Counts

Previously, New York Times had reported previously that Silver had taken "millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks." He disguised this income as money earned from his personal-injury law firm, which he kept going as a sideline to his main job of being the Assembly leader in Albany. But the law firm was essentially "a fiction," a money-laundering front to disguise the money he was taking as a fixer.

Earlier today, a juror asked the judge to be removed from the jury. He claimed he had discovered a conflict of interest -- that he was a taxi-medallion owner, and feared retalliation from Silver if a conviction should ensue.

The judge told him to remain in the jury and keep deliberating.

Silver has now been found guilty of all counts.

Manhattan federal court jurors found Silver guilty of all counts in the indictment -- bribery, extortion and money laundering. Silver, a Democrat who resigned as speaker after his indictment, continued to represent Manhattan's Lower East Side neighborhood, but automatically lost that post after the conviction.

Be careful of what you say about Silver. Your Magic Words of Evil might put a whammy on him, and he might suffer some mishap in prison.

posted by Ace at 04:22 PM

| Access Comments