Former Republican Senate majority leader Joe Bruno — once a New York political powerhouse — was sentenced to two years in prison today on two federal fraud counts. Bruno, 81, was convicted on December 7 for using his legislative office to help a businessman, who paid him both as a consultant and in a racehorse partnership. Considering prosecutors had been looking for Bruno to be locked up for eight years, this news isn’t as bad as it could have been for the thirteen-year state senator. Additionally, Bruno will remain free until the Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the law used to convict him — meaning there is a chance that the case could end up in no jail time for Bruno. Perhaps this possibility is what led him to say “It’ll be all right, it’ll be fine,” after the sentencing.
Former state senator Joseph Bruno sentenced to 2 years in prison [NYP]
Bruno Receives 2-Year Prison Term, but Stays Free [NYT]
