This jury is not only getting an education in civics but about mesothelioma, commercial real estate deals, and doing favors for friends.
Skelos Trial Begins
The trial of former Senate majority leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre, Nassau County) began with jury selection on November 16. Presiding over the case is Manhattan Federal Court Judge Kimba Wood at the Moynihan Federal Courthouse in lower Manhattan. Skelos, 67, is alleged to have lined up well-paying no-show jobs for his 32-year old son, Adam.
Number Two Man in State Senate to Be Sentenced
Sentencing will take place on November 24 for former deputy Senate majority leader Tom Libous (R-Binghamton) before U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti at the Brieant Federal Courthouse in White Plains, Westchester County. In a show of compassion, prosecutors will recommend that Libous, 62, who is dying of cancer that has spread to his prostate, lungs, bloodstream, and bones, receive a sentence including probation, a significant amount of home confinement, and a hefty fine. His life expectancy is less than a year, according to multiple medical experts.
Smith Goes to Prison
Former Senate majority leader Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans, Queens) is now residing at the Lewisburg federal penitentiary, which will be his home for the next seven years. The Pennsylvania prison is a high security U.S. penitentiary with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp. Smith, 59, began his prison term on November 6 to satisfy a conviction on corruption charges for trying to bribe his way onto the ballot as a Republican candidate for New York City mayor. He was sentenced by U.S. Judge Kenneth Karas.