More Criminal Charges For Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- More criminal charges were issued Thursday against former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

The new charges in a superseding indictment involve the transfer of money and investments.

Silver was arrested in January on bribery and corruption charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty. He remains free on bail.

Authorities say the Democrat exploited his power to reap $4 million in kickbacks in a case that has rocked New York's power structure.

During more than 20 years as Assembly speaker, Silver played a major part in creating state budgets and policies as one of Albany's "three men in a room'' when big decisions are made: the governor, the Senate majority leader and the speaker.

Known as a backroom master, Silver could single-handedly decide the fate of legislation, determining which proposals came up for an Assembly vote.

Prosecutors allege he illegally cashed in on his outsize influence, making big money by doing political favors -- not legal work -- for law firms.

The case prompted Silver's resignation from a leadership role that made him one of the state's foremost power brokers, roiling a state capital where 28 legislators have stepped down because of criminal or ethical issues during the past 15 years. Four others, including Silver, remain in office while fighting charges.

He stepped down as speaker after his January arrest, but he retains the lower Manhattan Assembly seat he has held for nearly 40 years.

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