Corrupt Legislators’ Pensions Can Be Seized

A federal appeals court in New York has ruled that a convicted former Bronx Assemblyman’s pension contributions can be seized. The ruling could pave the way for seizure of the state-protected pensions of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara said he planned to start going after pensions in 2013, when testifying before a now-defunct commission, which was established by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He made Stevenson a test case. Bharara blamed New York state lawmakers for protecting corrupt politicians’ pensions.