Gottfried: Allegations against Silver "Flimsy" and "Unsubstantiated"

During the immediate fallout after the news of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s arrest, Assembly Democrats held a quick news conference to declare their support for the Manhattan Democrat—before even taking the time to read the complaint.

Now that the dust has settled, observers wonder if that support will hold as details of the federal case against Silver come to light. But Assembly Democrats say their support for Silver will remain steadfast.

Sources told City & State that Democratic members of the Assembly will close ranks around Silver on Monday and continue to support him. It is also expected that all of the members who have been floated as potential successors will deny any interest in becoming the next speaker. 

Assemblyman Richard Gottfried said he has not heard any talk of naming a successor and that he would be “astonished” if Silver resigned. He maintains support from Assembly Democrats is not only steadfast, but “enthusiastic.”

“He is somebody with enormous internal, personal strength, which comes in part from his family and heritage, and I think comes from knowing his colleagues have enormous respect and affection and appreciation and support for him,” Gottfried said Friday morning. “I fully expect—and I think he has said—that he intends to defend himself against these accusations and to stand his ground and I certainly hope that’s what he does.”

Gottfried, like other members of his conference, said he believes Silver will continue to be an effective leader, in spite of the charges. Gottfried also said he has read the charges and sees no evidence of criminal conduct.

“Many of us, based on decades of political observation, think not only Speaker Silver, but his predecessors, are often easy targets because they challenge entrenched power in New York, whether it’s entrenched economic power or political power and I suppose in every country that makes you a target,” he said. “I’ve read the complaint. To me, it’s distressing that in this country you can end up in handcuffs based on these kinds of flimsy, unsubstantiated allegations.”

Former Assembly Speaker Mel Miller was convicted on corruption charges in the early 1990s, but the conviction was later overturned by a federal appeals court. But the criminal defense attorney for Miller said the two cases are very different and legal experts have said the case against Silver is strong.  

Some sources did say that if Silver arrives in Albany with lawyers in tow, it would give them pause, because it would show that the speaker's attorneys want him to watch what he says in front of the conference. This could indicate that the case against him is in fact as strong as the feds would have us believe—perhaps that he is even seeking a plea deal, which might lead members to reconsider their allegiance for fear of appearing naive.