New York State Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested on federal corruption charges on Thursday. The charges include mail fraud, wire fraud and extortion. In MMA circles, the state assemblyman had been the one that prevented a vote on the legalization of MMA in the state.
The Complaint obtained by the NY Times alleges that Silver has received “more than $6 million in outside income from two law firms since late 2002.” This includes “undisclosed bribes and kickbacks” where Silver used his position and power to “induce real estate developers with business before the State to retain and continue to use a Real Estate Law Firm controlled by an attorney who previously had worked as Silver’s counsel in the Assembly and who caused Silver to be paid for such referrals by the Real Estate Law Firm,” reads the Complaint.
UFC head Dana White has accused Silver of blocking a vote which could potentially grant the legalization of professional MMA in the state. New York is the only state which prohibits professional MMA.
Silver had served as speaker for more than two decades. So far, there is no clear indication as to who Silver’s successor would be.
A lawsuit is pending in which Zuffa has sued the state for its legislative ban on professional MMA.
Payout Perspective:
The news of Sheldon’s arrest could breathe new life into the annual Zuffa lobbying activities in Albany this spring. While Sheldon’s removal from his position may not mean that New York passes legislation legalizing professional MMA in the state, it gives lobbyists new hope that they can obtain a vote in the Assembly. This story is just getting started and MMA Payout will keep you posted.
HAHAHAHA!!! What a scumbag.
Complete POS! they should publicly stone him to death!!! Unfortunately his replacement will probably be worse. NY politics is a dirty game.