Ex-NY Senate Leader Heading to Trial on Corruption Charges

Dean Skelos (SKEH’-lohs) and his 33-year-old son, Adam, entered the pleas Thursday at their arraignment in Manhattan federal court.

The former New York state Senate leader and his son have pleaded not guilty to the latest charges in Manhattan federal court.

Dean Skelos, a Nassau County Republican, resigned as majority leader following his arrest, but retains his seat in the chamber. All three men have pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations.

Their trial is set to start Nov. 16 – two weeks after the trial of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is set to start Nov. 2 on his own set of corruption charges.

The CEO of the unnamed medical malpractice firm was afraid that if Adam Skelos lost his job at the company he would lose access to the elder Skelos, who just ascended to the majority leader post in the chamber.

Skelos and his son left court Thursday without speaking to reporters. Skelos, who is from Long Island, is charged with pressuring companies to funnel payments to his son, Adam, in exchange for legislative support.

When Adam Skelos’ supervisor complained, prosecutors say he threatened to “smash in” the supervisor’s head and bragged of his father’s power. It says Adam Skelos asked the executive for a full-time job when he and his father attended a fundraiser in 2012, saying he needed income and health insurance benefits.