Skelos, Son Under Federal Investigation for Corruption

A grand jury is debating whether to charge State Senate majority leader Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Centre, and his son, Adam, with corruption, according to multiple reports.

An investigation, conducted by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is looking into business dealings involving Adam Skelos, 32, and whether his father aided him in any way.

The probe includes a deal between Nassau County and AbTech Industries, an Arizona-based company for which Adam Skelos, 32, was hired as a consultant, according to The New York Times. AbTech was reportedly awarded a storm-water treatment contract in Nassau County despite it not being the lowest bidder for the project.

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Officials are determining whether the Long Island senator exerted any influence over the hiring of his son by AbTech. If true, the act would constitute a conflict of interest and could be in violation of federal corruption regulations.

Federal investigators are also looking into Adam Skelos’ dealings with American Land Services, who apparently gave him a $20,000 signing bonus despite never working for them, according to the report.

Neither Dean nor Adam Skelos have been charged as of Thursday.

“ I have and will continue to cooperate with any inquiry,” said Sen. Skelos Thursday, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Adam Skelos said he was surprised to hear of the investigation.

“I had no idea that this was even an issue,” reacted Adam Skelos, according to the New York Times. “I got to tell you, this is really unexpected.”

The Skelos investigation comes months after Assemb. Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, wasindicted for fraud and extortion after allegedly taking $4 million in bribes and kickbacks, according to The New York Daily News.

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