The state comptroller’s office confirms that former Lower East Side Assemblyman Sheldon Silver has started receiving his pension.
Silver was forced to give up his seat representing the 65th Assembly District after a jury convicted him on federal corruption charges this past November. According to WGRZ-TV, he’s now receiving a state pension amounting to $6,602/month or $79,224/year.
Silver was first elected to the State Legislature in 1976 and served continuously for 40 years. But he joined the state pension system in 1971 as a law secretary in state civil court.
Last week, Governor Cuomo said,”It is perverse that taxpayers’ money would support officials found guilty of committing a felony against the taxpayers… We must take state pensions from those convicted of a crime related to their government service. Anything else shows disrespect for the rule of law and for the taxpayer.” Cuomo is proposing changes in the system as part of a new ethics reform agenda.
Silver will be sentenced April 13. Prosecutors are expected to ask for the forfeiture of his pension, in addition to to other financial penalties and a prison sentence.
