Silver's decision came amid mounting pressure from his fellow
Democrats in the Assembly, who worried that the criminal charges
would impair his ability to carry out the duties of one of the
most powerful positions in New York's government, the newspaper
reported.
Last week, Silver, a Democrat who has served as the
highest-ranking state assemblyman since 1994, was charged with
pocketing $4 million from bribery and kickback schemes.
The 70-year-old Silver, one of the state's most powerful
politicians for more than two decades, would not permanently
quit his post. Instead, he would temporarily delegate his duties
as speaker to a group of senior Assembly members, the newspaper
said.
Reuters could not immediately reach Silver or his attorney,
Steven Molo, for comment outside regular U.S. business hours.
(Reporting by Supriya Kurane in Bengaluru; Editing by Robert
Birsel)
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