Awaiting sentencing on federal corruption charges, former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is asking for leniency, with his wife revealing that Silver has cancer. State House Reporter Zack Fink has the story.

Facing a possible heavy prison sentence, former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is finally expressing some contrition.

In a letter to a federal judge who is deciding his fate, Silver writes, "Because of me, the government has been ridiculed. I let my peers down, I let the people of the State down, and I let down my constituents — the people of lower Manhattan that I live among and fought for. They deserve better."

The 72-year-old went on to ask the judge to remember the positive contributions he made to state government when considering his sentence.

It was also revealed for the first time this week that Silver has prostate cancer.

"Your Honor is aware of Shelly's health issues and it terrifies me that his father and brother both died from the same kind of cancer," Silver's wife Rosa said in a letter to Judge Valerie Caproni. "Please give him as lenient a sentence as possible."

But while Silver and his wife are asking Caproni for mercy, other revelations could hurt Silver's case.

Last week, court papers were unsealed that revealed Silver engaged in two extramarital affairs. In both cases, the alleged paramours benefitted financially from Silver's public office.

An attorney for one of the women, former Democratic Staten Island Assembly Member Janele Hyer-Spencer, confirmed that she is one of the women alluded to in court documents, but denies there was an affair.

Sources say Silver not only had an affair with Spencer, but he also lavished campaign money — more than $170,000 — to protect Hyer-Spencer's seat and keep her in Albany.

Hyer-Spencer lost to Republican Nicole Malliotakis in 2010, and Silver never invested money to win back the seat, even though it's considered a swing district.

"I got little help from Shelly Silver on my end," said John Mancuso, the Democratic candidate in 2012. "Here I was, I was a viable candidate, I was raising money, I'm a community activist, I have the background, but yet Mr. Silver wouldn't even meet with me."

Silver is scheduled to be sentenced May 3. His attorneys say they will file an immediate appeal after his sentencing.

Last year, Silver was convicted on seven corruption counts including fraud, extortion and money laundering.

His sentencing is scheduled for May 3. He could face up to 20 years in prison, but prosecutors are pushing for 15 years.