Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Found Guilty Of Corruption
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Getty Images-Spencer Pratt [file][/caption]

Sheldon Silver, the former leader of the New York State Assembly, has been sentenced to a lengthy stretch in prison for his conviction in a federal corruption case.

U.S. District Court Judge Valerie Caproni sentenced Silver to twelve years.

A federal jury last fall found Silver guilty of all seven counts brought by prosecutors.

Silver had been accused of extortion, taking bribes and abusing his office to enrich himself to the tune of millions of dollars.

Silver is 72. He was ordered to report to prison on July 1.

United States Attorney Preet Bharara said the stiff sentence is a "just and fitting end" to Silver's "long career of corruption."

Former state Senate majority leader Dean Skelos, who also was convicted in a federal corruption case, is scheduled to be sentenced this month.

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