The powerful leader of New York's state Senate was arrested on Monday, along with his son, in a widening federal corruption probe. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, 67, and his son Adam, 32, surrendered at FBI offices in lower Manhattan, after being hit with a raft of conspiracy, extortion and bribery solicitation counts.
The political corruption charges are just the latest to engulf a top politician in New York's state capital, Albany. Earlier this year, another top legislator, assemblyman Sheldon Silver was forced to step down as speaker, after also being hit with federal corruption charges. Dean Skelos, a senator representing parts of Long Island since 1984, has led the chamber since 2008. FBI officials said their probe of father and son dates back to 2010, when the pair are alleged to have conspired to take advantage of the father's influential post to extort those with business before the state.