Dean Skelos

Dean Skelos is a former New York State Senator who served as the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate from 2008 to 2015. During his tenure, he worked closely with Governor Andrew Cuomo, Sheldon Silver, and other prominent New York State Assembly members, including Carl Heastie and Jeff Klein. Skelos was a key figure in shaping New York State's legislative agenda, often collaborating with New York City Mayors like Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio. His career was marked by significant events, such as the 2009 New York State Senate leadership crisis and the 2011 New York same-sex marriage vote, which involved Kirsten Gillibrand, Chuck Schumer, and other notable United States Senators.

● Early Life and Education

Dean Skelos was born on February 16, 1948, in Rockville Centre, New York, to a family of modest means. He attended Chaminade High School and later graduated from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Skelos earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York City, where he was influenced by prominent New York State politicians, including Nelson Rockefeller and Jacob Javits. After completing his education, Skelos worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Nassau County, New York, under the guidance of District Attorney Denis Dillon, and later became involved in local politics, interacting with figures like Alfonse D'Amato and George Pataki.

● Career

Skelos began his career in politics as a Republican member of the New York State Assembly, serving from 1984 to 1994. He then moved to the New York State Senate, where he represented the 9th district from 1994 to 2015. As a senator, Skelos worked on various committees, including the New York State Senate Committee on Education and the New York State Senate Committee on Health, often collaborating with United States Representatives like Peter King and Steve Israel. He played a crucial role in shaping New York State's education policy, working closely with New York State Education Department officials, including Chancellor Merryl Tisch and Commissioner John King. Skelos also interacted with other notable New York State Senators, such as Seymour Lachman and Ruth Hassell-Thompson.

● Corruption Charges and Conviction

In 2015, Skelos was arrested and charged with corruption and bribery by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The charges alleged that Skelos had used his position to secure no-bid contracts and other benefits for his son, Adam Skelos, in exchange for bribes from companies like AbTech Industries and Glenwood Management. Skelos was convicted in 2015 and sentenced to 51 months in prison, a decision that was influenced by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Judge Kimba Wood. His conviction was part of a broader corruption investigation in New York State that also implicated Sheldon Silver and other prominent politicians, including Malcolm Smith and John Sampson.

● Personal Life

Skelos is married to Gail Skelos and has two children, Adam Skelos and Kelly Skelos. He resides in Rockville Centre, New York, and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, having attended St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, New York. Skelos has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Nassau County Museum of Art and the Long Island Children's Museum, and has worked with notable figures like Ed Mangano and Thomas Suozzi.

● Legacy

Dean Skelos's legacy is marked by his significant contributions to New York State politics, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare. However, his conviction on corruption charges has also had a lasting impact on the state's political landscape, leading to increased calls for ethics reform and greater transparency in government, as advocated by Governor Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Skelos's career has been the subject of scrutiny and debate, with some viewing him as a dedicated public servant and others seeing him as a symbol of the state's corruption problems, as discussed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other prominent news media outlets, including Newsday and The Buffalo News.