Federal prosecutors have urged a judge to reject former New York state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's bid to throw out criminal charges he faces.
The government made arguments in papers filed Friday in Manhattan federal court. Two weeks ago, the Democrat's lawyers had asked Judge Valerie Caproni to throw out the case. They wrote that the charges do not allege a crime, but rather describe longstanding features of New York state government that a prosecutor finds distasteful.
But prosecutors say bribes, kickbacks and extortion are just as illegal in New York as any other state. They say Silver exploited his power to collect $4 million in kickbacks.
Silver has said he will be vindicated.
Silver resigned as Assembly speaker after his January arrest. He has retained his Assembly seat.
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