Senator Dean Skelos (R-Long Island)
NEW YORK – Former state Senate leader Dean Skelos and his son were convicted Friday on all charges stemming from a federal corruption case.
The jury’s decision came just one day after deliberations had begun. Skelos and his son, Adam Skelos, were found guilty of eight counts of bribery, extortion and conspiracy.
The former state senator and his son stood shoulder to shoulder outside court after the verdict was read, with their attorney saying they will fight the conviction through the appeals process.
In response to the verdict, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there can be no tolerance for those who use, and seek to use, public service for private gain, adding that more must be done and will be pursued as part of his legislative agenda.
Skelos – a 67-year-old Long Island Republican – was accused of using his office to extort about $300,000 in salary and other benefits for his son. Prosecutors also alleged Skelos accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from developers in exchange for political favors.
Leave a Reply