Democrats try to oust NY Senate’s GOP leader after arrest
May 6, 2015, 7:36 AM
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Centre, left, stands with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, before a ceremony at the New York State Police Officers Memorial on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, in Albany, N.Y. Skelos is holding on to power following federal corruption charges even as some fellow Republicans say he should step down as leader to avoid a political distraction. Skelos was arrested Monday on charges that he traded his influence for payments from a real estate firm and environmental technology company that went to his son, Adam Skelos, who is also charged in the case. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)n
(AP Photo/Mike Groll)
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Democrats in the New York state Senate are seeking to oust the chamber’s Republican leader after his arrest on federal corruption charges.
The lawmakers say they will use a procedural move Wednesday to force a vote on removing Dean Skelos of Long Island as Senate majority leader.
The effort to oust Skelos will probably fail, as Republicans hold the majority in the Senate.
Skelos faces charges that he traded his influence for more than $200,000 in payments from a real estate firm and an environmental technology business to his son, Adam, who is also charged in the case. Skelos and his son have said they are innocent.
Senate Republicans have said they want to keep Skelos on as their leader, though there are signs that support may be wavering.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
