Arrest Sheds New Context On Skelos' Call For Rent Regulations To Expire Every Two Years

The criminal complaint against state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son outlines a corruption scheme in 2011 surrounding the expiration of rent regulation laws and the 421-a tax break for developers—which are set to expire once again in June of this year. 

In January, Skelos spoke to City & State during a four-part series about the expiring rent regulation laws and 421-a.

When asked if he would like to see those laws extended for more than four years, Skelos said, “I’d rather have it every two years, because it adds excitement to the legislative session.” When asked if he was joking, he responded that he wasn’t.

The new complaint may shed light onto Skelos’ real motivation for re-upping the controversial 421-a tax break every two years, given his personal gain from the process.

On page 21 of the 42-page complaint filed by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Preet Bharara, Skelos and his son are accused of collaborating with developers to pass the Rent Act of 2011 and the extension of the 421-a program, which provides a tax abatement for residential developers. 

“ … [Cooperating Witness 1] has stated that CW-1 arranged for payments to ADAM SKELOS, the defendant, at the request of DEAN SKELOS, the defendant, because CW-1 was aware that DEAN SKELOS had substantial control over real estate legislation critical to Developer-1 and because CW-1 was concerned that DEAN SKELOS could take action adverse to Developer-1 if Developer-1 failed to secure compensation for ADAM SKELOS.”

In addition, City & State asked Skelos about the repeated corruption scandals that plague Albany.

“There are always going to be some bad apples, whether it’s in a corporation, whether it’s in the Legislature, in all walks of life,” Skelos said.

You can read the full four-part interview series here, here, here, and here.