Guilty Verdict For Former Majority Leader Dean Skelos & Son Adam

A guilty verdict has been reached by jurors in the trial of former Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son Adam Skelos.

Guilty!  That was the verdict the jurors delivered to the two men today just after 2 pm. Both Dean Skelos and his son Adam were facing trial on eight counts of bribery, extortion and conspiracy.

The charges, brought on by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, focused on senator Skelos's abuse of his power as leader of the Senate to direct payments to his son Adam. Payments that would total more than $300,000.

During the trial, taped conversation were used as evidence to convict the two men.  While prosecutors showed Skelos as strong arming companies to help his son, the defense countered that he was just a Father looking out for his Son.

Dean Skelos was first elected into the New York State Senate in 1985. With this verdict, he is automatically stripped of his seat.

Sentencing will be in March.