Sheldon Silver, top New York lawmaker sentenced for corruption, dies aged 77

Democrat spent two decades as speaker of state assembly before conviction over real-estate dealings

Sheldon Silver, one of the most powerful figures in New York state government for two decades before his conviction on corruption charges, has died in federal custody. He was 77.

Silver, who served as the speaker of the New York state assembly, died on Monday, the federal Bureau of Prisons said, adding that the official cause of death would be determined by the medical examiner. Silver's supporters had said he was in failing health from multiple medical conditions.