Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Corrupt Sheldon Silver Successfully Stays Out Of Jail For Up To A Year
By
David Colon
Published Aug 26, 2016
Modified Aug 26, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
David Colon
Published Aug 26, 2016
Modified Aug 26, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Dean and Adam Skelos managed to spring themselves from the clink on appeal, which left fellow corrupt politician Sheldon Silver on the outside (of freedom) looking in, yelling "Hey what about me?" Well, fire up the jukebox that only plays "The Boys Are Back In Town," because a federal judge ruled Silver can also stay out of jail while he appeals his conviction on extortion, fraud, and money laundering.
The Times reports that before approving his request to remain free on bail, Judge Valerie E. Caproni said she believed Silver, 72, did everything he was convicted of doing. However, the soft-on-politician-crime Supreme Court tied her hands with their ruling in McDonnell vs. United States, when they redefined what counts as a public official's "official acts" in exchange for personal gain.
The redefinition means that, like in the case of Dean Skelos and his adult son Adam, the jury instructions given to Silver's jury could be seen as misleading or incorrect. So, Silver is out on appeal, a process that could take up to a year. He faces up to 12 years in prison if his appeal fails.
With Silver and Skelos back walking the streets, Albany's infamous Three Men In A Room are all free men again, although they can't do quite as much damage as they once did. Odds are that Andrew Cuomo probably won't be appearing in ANY room with the two, unless of course you believe in New York State's best/craziest conspiracy theory that Cuomo isn't actually the governor. In that case, maybe they'll meet in secret somewhere for a mournful scotch.
Tagged
corruption
dean skelos
sheldon silver
thanks for nothing john roberts
David Colon
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
ICE agent shoots, injures immigrant man in NYC's Marble Hill, DHS says
The agency says the man is alive and hospitalized.
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 8, 2026 at 5:33 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 8, 2026 at 11:20 p.m. ET
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
Jersey City mayor shakes up staff amid $255M budget gap
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx residents will be exempt from new Medicaid work rule, state officials say
By
Caroline Lewis
MTA chair accuses Andy Byford, who's leading Penn Station rebuild, of going 'full MAGA'
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Carol Chen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .