Dean Skelos has stepped down as New York State Senate majority leader following a closed-door conference in Albany.
According to multiple sources, Skelos will give up his leadership post but keep his seat in the state Senate.
State Senator John Flanagan, of East Northport Long Island, Skelos's pick to replace him, will become the new leader of the Republican conference. John DeFrancisco, of Syracuse, reportedly was in the running as well.
The resignation comes as Skelos and his son, Adam, face corruption charges. They turned themselves in to federal authorities a week ago.
Skelos is accused of pressuring a real estate developer and an environmental firm into paying his 32-year-old son Adam hundreds of thousands of dollars. In return, the companies allegedly received political favors, and government contracts.
Prior to this announcement, sources said Skelos said he would not step down until Republican support decided on a new majority leader.
Sen. John Flanagan says "He has the united backing of the Republican conference" as the full chamber is poised to elected him the new majority leader.
It remains unclear who will become Flanagan’s deputy majority leader and who will take the Education Committee chairmanship that Flanagan held.
Earlier this year, a separate corruption scandal forced Sheldon Silver to give up his post as Assembly speaker after being pressured by his Democratic colleagues.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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