Sheldon Silver Guilty on All Counts

One of the most powerful men in New York State government is stripped of his office after being convicted on all counts in a federal corruption trial.

A federal jury has found former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver guilty of all seven counts including taking bribes, extortion and abusing his office in order to get millions of dollars in personal financial gains.  Silver, who plans an appeal, could face up to 20 years in prison.

Silver’s defense maintained the Democrat did nothing wrong and just conducted political business as usual.

The trial lasted about three weeks and saw two jurors requesting to be dismissed with those requests turned down by the judge.

Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a statement

saying justice had been served.