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Columbia Cancer Doctor Steps Down After Silver Arrest
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jan 24, 2015
Modified Jan 24, 2015
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By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jan 24, 2015
Modified Jan 24, 2015
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The director of a Columbia University cancer center has been removed from his position, after a criminal complaint revealed he allegedly referred patients to embattled State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in exchange for state grant money.
Robert N. Taub, 78, previously served as the head of New York Presbyterian Columbia's Mesothelioma Research Center, studying an abdominal cancer linked to asbestos. But according to investigators, he was embroiled in a major scheme, sending patients to a personal injury law firm with connections to Silver. Silver received over $3 million in bogus "referral fees" from this deal, despite having no legal connection to the cases.
Taub, meanwhile, allegedly received $500K worth of Silver-sponsored grants to fund his cancer program. He is reportedly cooperating with the FBI and will testify against Silver. It is unclear whether he will continue to practice at Columbia, though he is still on payroll and is expected to remain on staff as a professor.
Meanwhile, Albany continues to descend into madness, with U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara hinting even more arrests may be made in the future. Some politicians are reportedly concerned Silver will turn on them to strike a deal with the government. "People are scratching their heads and saying, 'What did I say the last time I spoke to Shelly?'" one lobbyist told the Post.
And more and more Assembly members are reportedly starting to withdraw support from him. Even Mayor de Blasio, who told reporters he thought Silver was a "man of integrity" after his arrest on Thursday, called for a closer look at corruption in Albany, though he still believes the Speaker should not resign. "The ghost of Tammany Hall does not haunt New York City government, but I do think it haunts Albany in general, and we need a much more transparent and better approach in general," the mayor said yesterday.
In addition to facing charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and extortion, Silver could also face tax charges, though those have not yet been filed. He is currently out on $200K bail, and will return to Albany on Monday.
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cancer
columbia
corruption
robert taub
sheldon silver
Rebecca Fishbein
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