NEW YORK
The former state Senate leader and his son were convicted Friday of federal extortion charges. The case against Republican Dean Skelos, 67, and his son Adam, 33, cast a harsh light on politics in Albany, much like the one against former Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was convicted of bribery on Nov. 30. The convictions "should be a wake-up call for the legislature and it must stop standing in the way of needed reforms," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
The former state Senate leader and his son were convicted Friday of federal extortion charges.
The case against Republican Dean Skelos, 67, and his son Adam, 33, cast a harsh light on politics in Albany, much like the one against former Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was convicted of bribery on Nov. 30. The convictions "should be a wake-up call for the legislature and it must stop standing in the way of needed reforms," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
The elder Skelos was accused of strong-arming three companies with a stake in state legislation into giving work to his son. The government said the businesses provided the younger Skelos with about $300,000 and other benefits. The pair will be sentenced March 3. - AP