Albany jury convicts former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno of corruption

An Albany jury yesterday found former New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno [R-Saratoga Springs] guilty on two federal corruption charges.

The panel acquitted Bruno on five other charges, but Ken Lovett of the Daily News correctly described the conviction as "the guilty verdict heard 'round the state'" because it essentially amounts to an indictment of the way Albany lawmakers have conducted themselves for decades.

The jury found Bruno guilty of two counts of mail fraud in connection with various 'consulting' work he did for Leonard Fassler and other businessmen and companies during his legislative tenure. The former Senate Majority Leader, who retired last year, reportedly made $3.2 million from his association with Fassler and other clients.

U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe will sentence Bruno on March 31. The former lawmaker faces up to 20 years in prison, but he has vowed to appeal his conviction.