Sheldon Silver is also ordered to pay a $1.75 million fine
The fall from grace of former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was completed this afternoon when he was sentenced in federal court to 12 years in prison. He was also ordered to pay a $1.75 million fine.
Judge Valerie Caproni told a tired looking Silver that his actions had caused the public incalculable harm. “I hope the sentence that I impose on you will make other politicians think twice, until their better angels take over,” said Caproni. “Or if there are no better angels, perhaps the fear of living out one’s golden years in an orange jumpsuit will keep them on the straight and narrow.”
In November, a Manhattan federal jury convicted Silver, 72, on seven counts of public corruption, forcing him to resign his seat in the assembly. Two weeks later, Silver’s Republican counterpart in the State Senate, Dean. G Skelos was convicted of bribery and extortion—another damaging blow to the reputation of Albany lawmakers.
In court on Tuesday, prosecutors pressed for a lengthy prison sentence, one that they said would reflect the “magnitude, duration and scope” of Silver’s crimes. Assistant United States attorney, Carrie Cohen asked the judge to send a message that “no one, including Sheldon Silver, is above the law.”
Silver’s lawyer, Joel Cohen, asked the judge to consider how much the trial had already damaged his client. Cohen claimed that in the 20 or so years he has known Silver, he has seen him survive a number of ordeals but that he wouldn’t be able to weather this storm. “I hesitate to say this in front of his family,” said Cohen, “but Mr. Silver’s obituary has already been written.”
The defense argued for minimal incarceration, citing Silver’s advanced age and his “extraordinary talent for pubic service.” Cohen argued that to send Silver away for a lengthy period in prison would be to deprive the public of his considerable abilities. He also urged the judge not to be swayed by the one-sided arguments made by the prosecution and to see that “there are two sides to Sheldon Silver.”
In a brief statement before he was sentenced, the veteran politician, who had a small American flag pinned to his lapel, acknowledged that he had let down his colleagues, friends and constituents. “I’m truly, truly sorry,” he said, before resuming his seat.
Taking stock of the letters written to her from members of Silver’s community, Caproni admitted that they “clearly and persuasively” painted a picture “of a talented politician who went above and beyond the call of duty.” She also dismissed the sentencing guidelines of 21-27 years, calling them “unjust” and “draconian” for a man of Silver’s age.
Nevertheless, the sentence she handed down was still more than the 10 years recommended by the court’s probation office.
Silver was free to leave the courthouse on Tuesday and must surrender to the authorities by July 1. In addition to the $1.7 million fine, Caproni ordered him to forfeit the $5.3 million he obtained illegally.