Skelos To Appear In Court Monday

Karen DeWitt

For the second time in a month, one of New York State's biggest political figures is going on trial on corruption charges.

Jury selection begins Monday in Manhattan federal court in the extortion and bribery trial of former Senate leader Dean Skelos and his son, Adam.

Dean Skelos was the state's most powerful Republican before his May arrest on charges that he used his position to make hundreds of thousands of dollars for his son. He stepped down from his leadership post but retained his Senate seat.

The arrests came four months after the arrest of former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on corruption charges. The trial of the once-powerful Democrat started two weeks ago.

Lawyers for all three men say they will be vindicated at trial.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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