Assemblyman Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan). (Source: AP)
ALBANY – State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will temporarily give up some of his powers as the leader of the Assembly while he fights federal corruption charges that were levied against him last week.
According to a report by the New York Times, Silver will update the Democratic Members of the Assembly during a meeting later this morning. The Manhattan Democrat won’t step down from his title as speaker but will instead delegate authority to unnamed members of the assembly. This is likely to include budget negotiations with the Senate Leadership and the Governor.
Silver faces federal charges that he took an estimated $3.8 million in payoffs and kickbacks by using his influence in the state legislature and steering the money to his private legal practice. Silver has said he plans to fight the charges and will be vindicated.
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