Former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was indicted Thursday on federal fraud and extortion charges. Silver was arrested in January and charged with taking nearly $4 million in kickbacks.
Silver was arrested on Jan. 22 on a five-count criminal complaint that detailed two alleged bribery and kickback schemes in a case that has upended Albany. The three-count indictment handed up in the United States District Courthouse in Manhattan, charged Mr. Silver with mail fraud, wire fraud and extortion under the color of official right.
The Times also reports that Silver is expected to be formally arraigned on the charges in the next few days. In a statement to the Times, Silver's lawyers say their client is innocent and that "We can now begin the fight for his total vindication."
Silver resigned as Speaker on February 2, but remains in the Assembly. Bronx Assembly Carl Heastie was unanimously elected to succeed Silver as Speaker on February 3.