With a wave of scandals already sweeping across the State Capitol, Dean Skelos. the leader of the State Senate, may be the latest target of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. The news comes just three months after former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested on corruption charges. NY1’s Zack Fink filed the following report.
It's already been a tumultuous year for Dean Skelos. After sharing power for two years with a group of breakaway Democrats in the State Senate, he took over as the sole majority leader in January after Republicans gained seats in the legislature's upper house. But Skelos is now facing a federal investigation, reportedly over whether he steered business to a firm that hired his son.
The probe comes on the heels of the arrest of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in January. Insiders say targeting of both legislative leaders is unusual in modern times, even for corruption-plagued Albany.
"In going after leadership it is unprecedented, yes. There are issues in Albany. Yes, there has been corruption. There is corruption in other parts of the state, other businesses and industries as well. But this is not good for government,” said former Assemblyman Michael Benjamin.
Several Republican State Senators have received subpoenas from the U.S. Attorney's office in relation to Skelos. According to The New York Times, the investigation focuses on Skelos and his son Adam who was reportedly hired by an Arizona company, Abtech industires. Abtech later received a storm water treatment contract from Nassau County, part of which Skelos pepresents in the State Senate.
There have been several corruption-related arrests of Albany lawmakers the last few years.
"For years they've looked at the small fry. And they’ve gotten, for very good reason. I don't think anybody has been improperly or unfairly convicted of corruption. Now he is looking at the top,” said Benjmain.
In a short statement, Skelos said, "I have and will continue to cooperate with any inquiry."
The investigation is being led by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who is also prosecuting Silver. In response to Silver's arrest, Gov. Andrew Cuomo insisted on pushing through a package of ethics reforms in this year's budget. But some experts called those reforms weak.
"Unfortunately, it looks like when it comes to ethics reform the person leading the parade is the U.S. Attorney. And we will see what else he comes up with,” said Blair Horner of NYPIRG.
If Skelos was indicted and forced to resign his seat, it could greatly upset the balance of power in Albany, since Senate Republicans only hold their majority by one seat.