Ex-NY Senate Leader Bruno gets 2 years for fraud - YNN, Your News Now

05/06/2010
Ex-NY Senate Leader Bruno gets 2 years for fraud
By: AP Wire Service

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Joseph Bruno, once one of the most powerful political figures in New York, has been sentenced to two years in jail on two federal fraud counts.

The 81-year-old Bruno was the Republican leader of the state Senate for 13 years, controlling that chamber's legislation and billions of dollars in spending.

He was convicted last year of using his office to help a businessman who paid him as a consultant and in a horse venture, violations of the federal "honest services" law.

Prosecutors urged eight years in prison, while the defense wanted probation. He has agreed to pay $280,000 in restitution.

The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing the honest services statute. Bruno was acquitted of five counts.

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As an aside, Republican Bruno was very effectively one of the staunchest opponents of legalizing gay marriage in the State of NY based on his "strong moral convictions." What a joke. This gross hypocrisy is typical of conservatives everywhere.