MANHATTAN FEDERAL COURT — Embattled Assemblyman Sheldon Silver said he will not take the stand at his corruption trial.
The former Speaker of the Assembly told Manhattan federal court judge Valerie Caproni Wednesday evening, "I do not wish to testify," New York Times reporter Susanne Craig tweeted.
Sheldon Silver to judge: "I do not wish to testify."
— Susanne Craig (@susannecraig) November 18, 2015The news of his decision comes after prosecutors rested their case against Silver Wednesday.
Once one of New York’s most powerful politicians, Silver, 71, is facing fraud charges related to two extensive bribery schemes that gave him more than $4 million in kickbacks over several years, disguised as legitimate payments.
Prosecutors allege that Silver earned millions for himself in fees from a law firm by bringing in a host of cancer cases. He allegedly bribed a Columbia doctor to send him patients by authorizing state-funded grants that would pay for the doctor's research.
Silver is also accused of getting more than $700,000 in a real estate scheme — he pocketed referral fees from law firms that did tax work for wealthy developers, which Silver sent their way, prosecutors said. They claim Silver gave the developers legislative benefits in return.
Silver's lawyers have consistently argued that nothing Silver has done has been illegal — he is allowed to earn a private salary, and had no corrupt intent.
Silver — who pleaded not guilty to all charges — has repeatedly told constituents and the press that he will be vindicated.
The jury will not return to court until Monday. Defense lawyers said they will not call any new witnesses, only introduce some new evidence Monday morning, Wall Street Journal reporter Erica Orden tweeted. Closing statements are expected Monday.
Sheldon Silver's defense attorneys won't call any witnesses, they said. They will, however, seek to introduce some documents as evidence.
— erica orden (@eorden) November 18, 2015The fast-moving trial is in its third week.
