Bruno Likely to Face Jail Time

80-year-old was convicted on Dec. 7

Former Albany mainstay Joe Bruno may go from upstate to up the river.

The U.S. attorney who convicted former New York Senate leader Bruno on corruption charges says the once-powerful Republican will likely face jail time.

Andrew Baxter tells The Daily News that he'll recommend the 80-year-old Bruno get prison time after being convicted of two counts mail fraud.

"I think it's clear that any way you stack the sentencing guidelines [it] will call for a sentence of imprisonment and the Justice Department typically recommends that the court follows the guidelines," Baxter told the paper.

The prosecutor also says he's considering whether to seek $280,000 from Bruno related to payments he received from a businessman for consulting work Bruno never performed.

Bruno, who led the Senate for 14 years, was convicted Dec. 7.

Bruno spokesman Kris Thompson says the ex-senator is going to let the legal process play out.

Prosecutors say Bruno used his position to reap $3.2 million in consulting fees and failed to disclose his conflicts of interest.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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