ALBANY - The arrest of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver marked a stunning turn in the career of one of New York’s most powerful and secretive figures.
The consummate political power broker and deal maker rose from the tenements of Manhattan’s Lower East Side to become one of the vaunted “three men in a room” who controlled state government.
He had also come to symbolize for many good government advocates all that was broken about Albany.
“It is not surprising but it is still abhorrent that one of the three men in the room has been charged with using his post to personally profit,” said Citizens Union Executive Director Dick Dadey.
Known for his cryptic public comments and frugal, no-frills lifestyle, Silver, 70, must now contend with the biggest scandal of his life and a legal process that threatens to expose his darkest secrets.
“He was a formidable adversary,” the Senate staffer marveled.
As tough as he could be in negotiations, Silver was also hailed as champion of liberal Democratic causes, including abortion rights, education spending and tenant protections.
“He’s always delivered for the conference on issues the Democratic majority cares about, whether its education funding or other issues,” said longtime Assembly Education Committee Chairwoman Catherine Nolan (D-Queens).
Until Thursday’s arrest, the biggest threat to Silver’s leadership happened in 2000 when Syracuse Assemblyman Michael Bragman launched a coup.
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