Report: One Of The Most Powerful People In New York Politics Is In FBI Custody

The powerful speaker of the New York State Assembly is about to be arrested on corruption charges and "throw Albany into disarray" The New York Times reported Thursday.

According to the report, it's not clear what Sheldon Silver will be charged with, but it is apparently linked to undisclosed income he received from a real estate law firm.

"NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver now in FBI Custody," CNN law enforcement reporter Shimon Prokupecz tweeted. "Charges to be announced later today."

Silver, a Democrat, has been a fixture in Albany politics for decades and has held his current office since 1994. The quintessential backroom negotiator and one of Albany's so-called "three men in a room," Silver essentially held veto authority over any state legislation.

Accordingly, few Democrats were willing to criticize Silver over the years, even as he became mired in controversies. Notably, he was accused of shielding a powerful colleague who was accused of shocking sexual harassment charges.

Silver's office did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider.