NEW YORK (AP) — In newly released documents, federal prosecutors say former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver abused his power to help two women, including a lobbyist, with whom he had extramarital affairs.
Manhattan federal Judge Valerie Caproni released the papers Friday.
Silver declined comment a day earlier. His lawyers say the papers reveal "unproven and salacious allegations that have no place in this case or public discussion."
The 72-year-old Democrat was convicted in November in a $5 million corruption case. Prosecutors say he traded favors to enrich himself and then lied about it. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 3.
Lawyers for The New York Times and WNBC-TV asked the judge to unseal documents pertaining to evidence excluded from trial. Silver's lawyers say the unsealing could jeopardize a fair trial if Silver wins an appeal.
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