Prosecutor Says NY Convictions Expose ‘Deep’ Corruption

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The federal prosecutor who won political corruption convictions of two of New York's most powerful lawmakers says both recently completed trials publicly exposed a "deep culture problem" in the state Legislature.

In an interview with The New York Times, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said the trials of ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former Senate Leader Dean Skelos showed the public and others seeking reform in Albany what needs to be addressed.

Bharara said those issues include lawmakers' ability to earn outside income, a lack of transparency and weak disclosure requirements.

Skelos and his son Adam were convicted of federal corruption charges Friday. On Nov. 30, Silver was found guilty of trading favors for $4 million in kickbacks.

Bharara says the trials revealed how Skelos and Silver "went about their daily corrupt business with barely a thought about it."