New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will step down in the wake of federal corruption charges, the Daily News reported, citing a source with direct knowledge of the deal.
Silver will be replaced with five veteran Assembly Democrats, who will run the chamber in his place: Majority Leader Joseph Morelle (D-Rochester), Herman “Denny” Farrell (D-Manhattan), Joseph Lentol (D-Brooklyn), Cathy Nolan (D-Queens) and Carl Heastie (D-Bronx).
Silver is expected to address his members today and hold a press conference with the new leaders, should weather permit.
“The Speaker is not stepping down,” Silver’s spokesman Michael Whyland said. “He is appointing a group of senior members. … This will give him the flexibility he needs so that he can defend himself against these charges, and he is confident that he will be found innocent.”
Silver is currently out on $200,000 bail for federal corruption charges that allege he took nearly $4 million in bribes and kickbacks. Read more.
{Andy Heller-Matzav.com Newscenter}
