Already facing serious prison time, former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is now dealing with some very embarrassing revelations contained in newly released court documents. NY1's Bobby Cuza explains.
Last year, Silver was found guilty of abusing his office to reap millions in fees from two law firms where he was employed but did no actual legal work.
But that's not all, prosecutors say: he also used his office to benefit two women with whom he had extramarital affairs.
The allegation was revealed in court papers unsealed Friday. While the documents are heavily redacted to shield the women's identities, prosecutors said one was a lobbyist Silver gave preferential treatment; the other he helped get a job in state government.
"Shelly Silver not only used his public post for private gain in terms of enriching himself financially, but he also used his power to affect his personal relationships and have affairs, and conceal them from the public," Dick Dadey of Citizens Union said.
According to court papers, recordings captured Silver and the lobbyist discussing how to conceal their affair from reporters, while also discussing state business she was lobbying him on.
Silver also maintained a second cell phone, registered in someone else's name, just to talk to the other woman.
The extramarital affairs were raised at a closed pre-trial hearing, but they were never admitted into evidence at trial.
The entire matter was kept under seal, both to protect the women's identities and so as not to taint the jury pool.
But now, with the trial long over, the judge in the case this week ordered the documents unsealed.
In a statement, Silver's attorneys Steven Molo and Joel Cohen said, "These are simply unproven, salacious allegations that have no place in this case or public discussion."
Manuel Ortega, the attorney for the woman Silver got a job, said recommendations happen in almost any industry. "There is absolutely no truth to the allegations of an affair," Ortega said in a statement. "A friendship has been turned into a sexual relationship with no evidence whatsoever."
But prosecutors did have evidence, including that recording and phone records; it was just never presented in court and is therefore not public record.
Silver is due to be sentenced May 3.