New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos' outside income is reportedly under investigation by the feds for possible corruption, NBC 4 New York reported.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is indeed looking into real estate activities conducted by the state's highest-ranking Republican, the New York Post confirmed on Friday.
Skelos, a lawyer, works as counsel for the real estate speciality law firm, Ruskin, Moscou Faltischeck in Uniondale, but that firm is not a part of the investigation, according to NBC 4 New York. His financial disclosure documents reveal that he was paid between $150,000 and $250,000 in 2013, the Post reported.
The investigation against Skelos was launched after Bharara received information from a tipster, according to sources.
Skelos' office released a statement Friday saying the initial reporting on the investigation was "irresponsible," therefore deserved no additional comments.
"Last night's thinly sourced report by WNBC is irresponsible and does not meet the standards of serious journalism," spokeswoman Kelly Cummings said. "Senator Skelos has not been contacted by anyone from the U.S. Attorney's office. As such, we won't be commenting further."
No charges have been brought against Skelos, who represents District 9 and was first elected to the state Senate in 1984, now serving his 16th term.
Just a week ago, Democratic Assemble Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested and charged for supposedly receiving $4 million in bribes, though Silver denies such allegations.
The investigations are part of larger efforts being conducted by Bharara, in which he is focusing partially on how some part-time legislators make money outside of their state jobs.
"Politicans are supposed to be on the people's payroll, not on secret retainer to wealthy special interests they do favors for," Bharara said in a speech this week, according to NBC 4 New York.
No word has been released on who will be charged next, but while announcing charges against Silver last week, Bharara hinted that he is far from through, advising people to "stay tuned."
