First, it was the Democratic leader of the State Assembly. Now, it looks like U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is being bipartisan and gunning for the Republican head of the state Senate.
Majority Leader Dean Skelos probably is a little nervous after reading The New York Times' article today that describes in detail how Bharara is looking at whether Skelos threw his weight around on behalf of a company that hired his son, Adam.
When it comes to his probes, it's clearly a family affair for Bharara, who earlier this week charged the son-in-law of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver with securities fraud. Silver, of course, has his own problems and is dealing with a massive corruption indictment from Bharara's office.
Should Skelos be charged with any crime, it would throw another wrench in the political machine of Albany. Covered in a web of investigations, the Capitol is starting to resemble the drawing room of an Agatha Christie mystery where the guests are picked off one by one. It would be wise to check those shredders for a paper jam.
Should anything happen to Skelos, it could tip the balance of power in the Senate, where Republicans hold a majority by one vote. If enrolled Democrats actually displayed party solidarity in the Senate and voted as a bloc, they could control the body – with the help of a tie-breaking vote cast by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. But it's more likely that if Skelos were to leave, the Senate would descend into some chaos with a group of renegade Democrats trying to make a deal with whatever side will have them. And with an actual majority of votes needed in the Senate to get many things done, chaos could reign.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are likely watching their back. If nothing else, Bharara likely has them tiptoeing through Albany's tulips. But will the prosecutor aim even higher and take on the governor? As Omar famously observed on "The Wire," "Come at the king, you best not miss."
Bob Hardt