Hawley says ex-Assembly leader shouldn’t get pension while in prison
Sheldon Silver, the leader of the State Assembly for about 20 years, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday after being convicted on Nov. 30 of corruption, including honest services fraud, money laundering and extortion.
“I am glad to finally see Sheldon Silver meet the fate he deserves,” said State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia. “I am extremely dismayed to hear that he will be receiving a near six figure taxpayer-funded pension behind bars. No one who purposely betrays the public for decades and denigrates his/her office like Silver should receive any form of taxpayer-funded pension.
“The Assembly Majority promised us comprehensive ethics reform months ago. Since then they have ignored the desires of New Yorkers in exchange for protecting one of their own. Corruption in Albany should not be business as usual and I will continue to beat the drum for a return to integrity here in the Capitol.”
Other former state legislative leaders also await sentencing on corruption. Dean G. Skelos, the former Senate majority leader, will be sentenced on May 12. John L. Sampson, a former leader of the Senate Democrats, will face his own sentencing on May 19.
