A judge says New York's former Senate majority leader can remain free on bail while appealing extortion and bribery convictions.
Manhattan Judge Kimba Wood ruled Thursday that Dean Skelos and his son, Adam, raised a substantial question on appeal in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling. The father and son were convicted last year of extortion, conspiracy and bribery. Wood sentenced Dean Skelos to five years in prison and the son to 6 ½ years in prison. The Supreme Court appeared to alter existing law when it recently reversed a former Virginia governor's conviction.
Another judge is deciding whether to let former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver remain free, pending appeal of his conviction in a $5 million bribery case.