Ex-NY Assembly Speaker Silver Petitions To Remain Free Pending Appeal Of Conviction

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Former New York state Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver has filed a motion asking to remain free pending appeal of his criminal conviction.

Lawyers for Silver said Friday the U.S. Supreme Court is considering changing the limits of a law used to convict him. They said the change may cause a reversal of Silver's conviction.

Silver, 72 – once one of the most powerful people in New York state politics – was sentenced to 12 years in prison last week following his conviction in a $5 million corruption case.

He was also fined $1.75 million when he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni. He will also have to make restitution of more than $5 million.

Silver's attorneys on Friday also asked Caproni the fine and forfeiture until the appeal is resolved. They said he otherwise will have to sell homes he jointly owns with his wife.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan declined comment.

Silver was convicted of fraud, extortion and money laundering – accepting bribes and kickbacks of nearly $5 million. Prosecutors said he amassed more than $2 million in assets and arranged to receive a $70,000 annual pension from the state.

He is scheduled to report to prison July 1.

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