NY Senate Leader Dean Skelos, Son Focus of Federal Corruption Probe: Report

The leader of the New York State Senate, Dean G. Skelos, and his son are now the focus of a corruption probe by federal prosecutors, who have started presenting evidence to a grand jury in an investigation of the Long Island Republican first reported by NBC 4 New York's I-Team in January, according to a report.

Subpoenas have already been served to a number of people close to Skelos -- among them, several state senators on Long Island -- The New York Times reported, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.

The senator's 32-year-old son, Adam Skelos, is also a focus of the investigation, according to the report. He was hired by an Arizona-based stormwater treatment company, AbTech, which was awarded a contract in his father's district despite the fact it wasn't the low bidder, the report said.

Federal investigators have been looking into Dean Skelos' sources of income, people familiar with investigation told NBC 4 New York's I-Team when it broke the story earlier this year.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is taking a hard look at his ties to the real estate industry, among other areas of inquiry, sources said.

Skelos, the highest ranking Republican in state government, has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

In a statement Thursday, Skelos said, "I have and will continue to cooperate with any inquiry."

Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas called hte allegations "troubling" and said the public corruption arm of her office will "conduct a comprehensive review of Nassau County countracting practices."

The revelation that Skelos is under investigation comes less than three months after Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested and charged for allegedly taking $4 million in bribes.

Silver denies the charges.

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