Assemblyman Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan). (Source: AP)
ALBANY – It appears that Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will not continue in his role as leader of the lower chamber after all.
Despite news earlier this week that Silver was planning to delegate his power but remain seated as speaker while he battles corruption charges, it’s now being reported that Silver will relinquish the position he has held for 21 years next Monday, Feb. 1, when Assembly democrats appoint a new speaker.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by Majority Leader Joe Morelle and came after Assembly Democrats met for two days to discuss their response to Silver’s arrest.
The 70-year-old Silver was arrested last Thursday on federal charges he took nearly $4 million in payoffs and kickbacks. Silver said following the arrest that he would be vindicated and his fellow party members had initially came out and said they were behind him. But this week more assembly members began speaking out against keeping Silver on as speaker, and by Tuesday afternoon the plan was made to replace him, rather than keep him seated as speaker and have the power of that position delegated to other legislators.
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