State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son, Adam, are in FBI custody.  

The pair surrendered this morning in Manhattan to face federal corruption charges.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara says the senior New York Republican is accused of using his clout to help his 32-year-old son rake in thousands in unearned business.  In exchange, Skelos allegedly offered a real estate developer and second company tax breaks and lucrative business deals.

A more than 40-page indictment says evidence includes wiretaps and two cooperating witnesses.  Among the offenses, Skelos allegedly helped his son's Arizona business win a government sewer contract in Nassau County

Skelos issued the following statement regarding the charges against him.

“I am innocent of the charges leveled against me.  I am not saying Iam just not guilty, I am saying that I am innocent.  I fully expect to be exonerated by a public jury trial.”

Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney has issued a statement, calling on Skelos to step down

“Due to the federal corruption charges being brought against Senator Dean Skelos, I am calling on him to step down from his position as majority leader as he awaits trial. It would be too much of a distraction in the remaining two months of session for Skelos to continue in this role.”

 

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