It won’t be hunting season for Dean Skelos anytime soon.
Mr. Skelos, the Republican majority leader, was slapped with a six-count criminal complaint today—and will now have to give up his prized shotgun.
In addition to his passport and all travel documents, Mr. Skelos must relinquish the shotgun he uses for hunting, a federal judge informed him today. Mr. Skelos, a Long Island Republican, also faces pretrial supervision. He will be permitted to travel in the continental United States.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara charged Mr. Skelos with extortion, conspiring to commit fraud and soliciting bribes in a corruption scheme also involving his son Adam Skelos
Mr. Skelos said he is innocent of the charges and his lawyer, Robert Gage, said Mr. Skelos is a committed public servant.
“I can’t imagine anyone having deeper roots in the community than Dean Skelos,” Mr. Gage said in the courtroom.
Mr. Skelos was released without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 3.
