After two days of closed door meetings colleagues of New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver say he has until Monday to clean out his office or he will be ousted.

Rochester Assemblyman and Majority Leader Joseph Morelle will serve in Silver's stead until February 10, 2015 when a vote will be held for his replacement.

Silver was arrested earlier this week by federal agents.  He now faces corruption charges stemming from his alleged acceptance of millions of dollars in what investigators say were bribes and kickbacks from private law firms.

Photo Credit: Daniel Barry, Getty Images
Photo Credit: Daniel Barry, Getty Images
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Silver had originally stated that he would continue to lead the Assembly, proposing the appointment of five members to fill the post temporarily.  Legislators in both houses scoffed at that idea, including New York Senator Joseph Griffo, who called the proposal "cockamamie."

The 69-year old lawmaker, who is an attorney himself, was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 1976.  He became speaker in February of 1994 when then-Speaker Saul Weprin had a stroke.  Silver has led the Assembly since, becoming one of the longest-serving legislators in New York.

Assemblyman Silver is expected to give up his leadership position but will retain his seat, at least for the time being.  He remains attorney of counsel to the Manahttan-based law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg.

Silver says he will fight the corruption charges.

 


When asked if they thought Speaker Sheldon Silver should resign, a poll of WIBX listeners taken earlier this week showed an overwhelming 74-percent believe that he should step down:

WIBX Poll January 2015: "Should Speaker Sheldon Silver Resign?" via Polldaddy.com
WIBX Poll January 2015: "Should Speaker Sheldon Silver Resign?" via Polldaddy.com
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