Ex-NY State Senate Leader Dean Skelos and son seek new trial

NEW YORK -- Ex-New York state Senate majority leader Dean Skelos and his son are seeking a new trial six weeks after they were convicted of federal corruption charges, CBS New York reports.

They pair were found guilty of eight counts of bribery, extortion and conspiracy on Dec. 11. The once-powerful Republican from Long Island was accused of using his office to extort about $300,000 in salary and other benefits for his son, Adam. Prosecutors also alleged Skelos accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from developers in exchange for political favors.

Their lawyers filed a motion in Manhattan federal court on Monday seeking acquittal on all the counts and a new trial, arguing the trial evidence failed to prove the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.

The presiding trial judge denied the lawyers' motion for acquittal after the trial ended but before the verdict was announced.

Sentencing for Dean and Adam Skelos is set for March 3.