Statement Of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara On Sentencing Of Former New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos

    “In the span of just 16 months, we have seen the arrest, prosecution, conviction, and sentencing of both leaders of the New York State legislature.  The nearly simultaneous convictions of Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos, whose corruption crimes were laid bare during fair and public trials, have no precedent.  And while Silver and Skelos deserve their prison sentences, the people of New York deserve better.  These cases show – and history teaches – that the most effective corruption investigations are those that are truly independent and not in danger of either interference or premature shutdown.  That will continue to be our guiding principle in exposing and punishing corruption throughout New York.  I thank the career investigators and prosecutors in my office, as well as FBI Assistant Director Diego Rodriguez and his entire team for their tremendous work in these two landmark prosecutions.  All New Yorkers who believe in clean government owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.”