Dean Skelos To Be Released From Prison Due To Coronavirus

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — Dean Skelos will be released from prison three years early and will serve out the rest of his sentence at home over concerns for his health due to the coronavirus, court documents show.

Skelos and his son, Adam Skelos, were found guilty in 2018 of eight charges after the elder Skelos used position and influence as state Senate majority leader to get jobs and cash for his son. Skelos was sentenced to 51 months in prison, and began his sentence last January.

Skelos, 72, served 15 months of his sentence. His lawyers filed an appeal for a compassionate release, citing concerns for his health in prison during the coronavirus pandemic. Skelos is elderly and pre-diabetic, his lawyers said, putting him at increased risk of severe complications from the virus.

However, according to documents filed this week, Skelos already tested positive for the virus and has been symptom-free since April 8. He is currently in quarantine in the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York.

The court documents say the Bureau of Prisons will be sending Skelos home to complete his sentence, although no date was given for his release. The paperwork for his release is being processed by the Probation Department and requires approval of his proposed residence.