Sheldon Silver
Sheldon Silver (b. February 13, 1944) was a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, representing District 65 from 1976 to November 30, 2015. He was removed from office after he was convicted on all seven counts of honest services fraud, extortion and money laundering.[1] His conviction was overturned on July 13, 2017.[2] He was again found guilty of federal corruption charges in May 2018.[3]
Silver served as Speaker of the New York State Assembly from 1994 to his resignation from the leadership position on February 2, 2015.[4][5]
Silver died on January 24, 2022, at age 77.[6]
Biography
Silver earned his B.A. from Yeshiva University and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. His professional experience included working as an attorney in a private practice and as a law secretary for Civil Court Judge Francis Pecora.[7]
An April 2013 list of the 100 most powerful players in Albany by the newspaper City and State ranked Silver as number two.[8]
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Silver served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2015 |
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| • Education |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Silver served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2013 |
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| • Rules, Chair |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Silver served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2011 |
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| • Rules, Chair |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Silver served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Rules |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2014
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2014
Elections for the New York State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 10, 2014. Incumbent Sheldon Silver was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Maureen Koetz was unopposed in the Republican primary. Silver also ran on the Working Families Party ticket. Silver defeated Koetz in the general election.[9][10][11]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Sheldon Silver Incumbent |
82.4% | 11,455 | |
| Republican | Maureen Koetz | 17.6% | 2,442 | |
| Total Votes | 13,897 | |||
2012
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2012
Silver ran in the 2012 election for New York State Assembly District 65. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on September 13, 2012. He also ran on the Working Families Party ticket. He defeated Wave Chan in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[12][13][14]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sheldon Silver Incumbent |
83.7% | 25,128 | |
| Republican | Wave Chan | 16.3% | 4,906 | |
| Total Votes | 30,034 | |||
2010
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2010
Silver ran unopposed in the September 14 Democratic primary. He was also unopposed in the general election on November 2.[15][16] In addition to running on the Democratic ticket, he also ran on the Working Families ticket.
| New York State Assembly, District 64, General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Sheldon Silver Incumbent |
100% | 16,881 | |
| Total Votes | 16,881 | |||
2008
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2008
On November 4, 2008, Silver won re-election to the New York State Assembly, District 64, defeating opponent Danniel Maio (R). Silver also ran on the Working Families ticket.[17][18]
Silver raised $470,736 for his campaign, while Maio raised $8,607.[19]
| New York State Assembly, District 64, General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Sheldon Silver Incumbent |
78.9% | 27,632 | |
| Republican | Danniel Maio | 21.1% | 7,387 | |
| Total Votes | 35,019 | |||
2006
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2006
On November 7, 2006, Silver won re-election to the New York State Assembly, District 64, defeating Michael A. Imperiale (R) in the general election. Silver also ran on the Working Families ticket.[20]
| New York State Assembly, District 64, General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Sheldon Silver Incumbent |
86.6% | 17,786 | |
| Republican | Michael A. Imperiale | 13.4% | 2,758 | |
| Total Votes | 20,544 | |||
2004
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2004
On November 2, 2004, Silver won re-election to the New York State Assembly, District 64, defeating Carrie Sackett (I) in the general election. He also ran on the Working Families ticket.[21]
| New York State Assembly, District 64, General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Sheldon Silver Incumbent |
93.7% | 26,379 | |
| Independent | Carrie Sackett | 6.3% | 1,770 | |
| Total Votes | 28,149 | |||
2002
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2002
On November 5, 2002, Silver won re-election to the New York State Assembly, District 64, defeating Tara L. Meadows (G) in the general election. He also ran on the Working Families and Libertarian tickets.[22]
| New York State Assembly, District 64, General Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Sheldon Silver Incumbent |
92.8% | 13,375 | |
| Green | Tara L. Meadows | 7.2% | 1,040 | |
| Total Votes | 14,415 | |||
2000
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2000
On November 7, 2000, Silver won re-election to the New York State Assembly, District 62, defeating Raymond J. Dowd (G) in the general election. Silver also ran on the Libertarian ticket.[23]
| New York State Assembly, District 62, General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Sheldon Silver Incumbent |
85.2% | 20,084 | |
| Green | Raymond J. Dowd | 14.8% | 3,485 | |
| Total Votes | 23,569 | |||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
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Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of New York scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2020
In 2020, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 8 to December 31.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2019
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In 2019, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 9 through January 8, 2020.
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2018
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In 2018, the 202nd New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 3 through June 20.
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2017
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In 2017, the 202nd New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 4 through December 31. A recess began June 21, and there was a special session June 28-29.
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2016
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In 2016, the 201st New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 6 through June 18.
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2015
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In 2015, the 201st New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 7 through June 25.
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2014
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In 2014, the 200th New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 8 to June 19, 2014.
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2013
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In 2013, the 200th New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 9 to December 31.
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2012
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In 2012, the 199th New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 4 to June 22, 2012.
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2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the 199th New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 5 to June 20, 2011.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Silver and his wife, Rosa, have four children; Edward, Janine, Michelle and Esther.[7]
Noteworthy events
Conviction in federal corruption trial (2015)
On November 30, 2015, Silver was convicted on seven counts in a federal corruption trial.[1] His conviction was overturned on July 13, 2017.[2]
On January 22, 2015, Silver was arrested on the following federal corruption charges: "two counts of honest services fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, one count of extortion under color of official right, and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right."[24] On January 30, 2015, Silver submitted a resignation letter, effective February 2, 2015, for his position as speaker of the New York State Assembly. According to The Wall Street Journal, Silver "denied wrongdoing and said he [would be] vindicated."[25] On February 19, 2015, Silver was indicted on three counts.[26] Silver's lawyers said, "We can now begin to fight for his total vindication. ... We intend to do that fighting where it should be done: in court."[26]
On April 23, 2015, federal prosecutors charged Silver with a "seven-count superseding indictment" that included "two counts each of mail and wire fraud and extortion, in connection with the individual alleged schemes, in addition to the new charge of engaging in monetary transactions involving crime proceeds."[27] One of Silver's lawyers said, "This new filing is an attempt by the government to address defects in the indictment that we raised in our motion to dismiss."[27] Silver pleaded not guilty to the charges and said, "I'm confident that at the end of this process I will be totally vindicated."[28]
On November 30, 2015, Silver was found guilty on all seven counts.[1] On May 3, 2016, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison, fined $1.75 million, and ordered to forfeit $5.3 million.[29]
Conviction overturned (2017)
On July 13, 2017, Silver's 2015 conviction was overturned by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The three-judge panel cited a 2016 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned the conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R). The 2016 ruling narrowed the definition of what it takes to convict public officials of wrongdoing. The appeals court determined that the judge's instructions in Silver's 2015 trial were not consistent with the 2016 Supreme Court decision.[2]
Conviction in second corruption trial (2018)
On May 11, 2018, Silver was found guilty of federal corruption charges for the second time. Prosecutors said Silver had arranged for Columbia University cancer researcher Robert Taub to receive two $50,000 grants from the state Health Department in exchange for Taub referring cancer patients with legal claims to the firm Weitz & Luxenberg. Silver allegedly received a portion of the firm's legal fees. Prosecutors also argued that Silver received a portion of legal fees from the law firm Goldberg & Iryami after getting two real estate developers, Glenwood Management and the Witkoff Group, to become clients. The jury found Silver guilty on seven counts, including two counts of honest services fraud, one count of extortion, and one count of money laundering.[3]
Silver's attorney said there was "not one whit of evidence of quid pro quo, not a shred of evidence of bribery" and said he planned to appeal the verdict.[3] Silver said, "I’m very confident the judicial process will play out in my favor."[3]
On January 21, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit partly overturned Silver's conviction, when a three-judge panel "upheld [his] conviction in the real estate scheme and a separate money-laundering count, but overturned his conviction related to his arrangement with Dr. Taub."[30]
Sentencing to prison (2020)
On July 20, 2020, Judge Valerie Caproni of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sentenced Silver to 78 months in prison and fined him $1 million as a result of his prior convictions. Caproni denied Silver's request to serve a home sentence due to health concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.[31]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Sheldon + Silver + New + York + Assembly"
See also
- New York State Assembly
- House Committees
- New York State Legislature
- New York State Assembly District 65
External links
- Profile from Open States
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions via Follow the Money
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 NY Times, "Sheldon Silver, Ex-New York Assembly Speaker, Is Found Guilty on All Counts," accessed November 30, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 NY Times, "Sheldon Silver’s 2015 Corruption Conviction Is Overturned," accessed July 13, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 New York Times, "Sheldon Silver Is Convicted in 2nd Corruption Trial," May 11, 2018
- ↑ NY Daily News, "Embattled Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver officially submits his resignation letter," accessed February 2, 2015
- ↑ Irene Plagianos, DNAinfo, "Embattled Sheldon Silver Still Has Support on Tackling Overcrowded Schools," March 24, 2015
- ↑ New York Times, "Sheldon Silver, 77, New York Power Broker Convicted of Corruption, Dies," January 24, 2022
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Project Vote Smart, "Biography of Rep. Silver," accessed August 1, 2014
- ↑ City and State, "Albany Power 100 List – 10," April 23, 2013
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Certification for the September 9, 2014, State Primary Election," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Primary results for September 9, 2014," accessed October 1, 2014
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Candidate List for the September 13, 2012, State Primary Election," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official September 13, 2012, Primary Results," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official Assembly Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ New York Times, "NY state legislative election results," accessed February 11, 2014
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Official Primary results from September 14, 2010," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Official Primary results from September 9, 2008," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Official Assembly Election Returns November 4, 2008," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Report on 2008 Campaign donations in New York," accessed August 1, 2014
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections - Assembly - Vote - Nov. 7, 2006," accessed April 24, 2015
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections - Assembly - Vote - Nov. 2, 2004," accessed April 24, 2015
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections - Assembly - Vote - Nov. 5, 2002," accessed April 24, 2015
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections - Assembly - Nov. 7, 2000," accessed April 24, 2015
- ↑ United States Attorney's Office Southern District of New York, "New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Arrested On Corruption Charges," January 22, 2015
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Sheldon Silver Submits Resignation Letter," January 30, 2015
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Reuters, "UPDATE 2-New York assembly ex-speaker Silver indicted on corruption charges," February 19, 2015
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 The Wall Street Journal, "New Charge Filed Against Sheldon Silver," April 23, 2015
- ↑ New York Daily News, "Ex-New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's corruption trial set for November," April 29, 2015
- ↑ auburnpub.com, "Ex-NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver gets 12 years in prison," May 4, 2016
- ↑ New York Times, "Sheldon Silver’s Corruption Conviction Is Partly Overturned,"
- ↑ New York Times, "Sheldon Silver, Former N.Y. Assembly Speaker, Will Finally Go to Prison," July 20, 2020
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Micah Kellner (D) |
New York Assembly District 65 2013–November 30, 2015 |
Succeeded by Alice Cancel (D) |
| Preceded by Richard N. Gottfried (D) |
New York Assembly District 64 2003–2012 |
Succeeded by Nicole Malliotakis (R) |
| Preceded by Paul M. Viggiano |
New York Assembly District 62 1983–2002 |
Succeeded by Robert Straniere |
| Preceded by Anthony G. DiFalco |
New York Assembly District 63 1977–1982 |
Succeeded by Steven Sanders |
