Chairs are empty on the Democratic side of the Senate Chamber after Democratic senators walked out of session at the Capitol on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Albany, N.Y. Democratic lawmakers walked out of the Senate in protest Wednesday after Republicans refused to allow the vote to remove Dean Skelos as Senate majority leader. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

ALBANY –  It was a heated scene on the State Senate floor Wednesday as Senate Democrats walked out of the chamber after being refused to vote for new leadership in the wake of the Dean Skelos corruption allegations.

Skelos – The Republican majority leader – and his son Adam were arrested Monday to answer a federal complaint that charged them with bribery and extortion in relation to legislative favors allegedly performed by the Long Island lawmaker to benefit his son’s employers and clients. Both have declared their innocence, and Skelos remains in power with the support of a “consensus” of his members.

Senate Democrats announced their intention to press for a vote on Skelos’ leadership in a news conference just before Wednesday’s session began. Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), the party’s deputy leader, verbally sparred with presiding Republican Sen. Jack Martins, who would not allow for a suspension of Senate rules in order to allow for the leadership vote to take place. The purpose for the vote would have been to put the chamber’s Republicans on record on whether they support or oppose Skelos.

Martins insisted the motion had not been properly introduced and as a result, would not be acted on. This drew the ire of Gianaris, who’s microphone was turned off as he lobbed heavy criticism at the process, repeatedly calling it shameful. As a show of solidarity, the Democratic conference filed out of the chamber and did not return.

Democrats said they would continue to press their case when the Legislature returns to Albany on Monday.

Also Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo broke his silence on the charges facing Skelos following an appearance at Syracuse University. The governor said that “If the charges are correct, it’s deeply disturbing.” But the governor refused to call on the Republican conference to act, saying It’s not his place to tell them who their leader should be.

The charges against Skelos, like those that led to the January arrest of former assembly speaker Sheldon Silver, were brought by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Preet Bharara, who is also reportedly looking into Cuomo and his cancellation of the Moreland Commission panel on public corruption.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island)

ALBANY – The federal corruption complaint against Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son is “nothing more than a press release,” the embattled Long Island Republican said Tuesday.

On Monday night, Senate Republicans made the decision to retain Skelos as their leader and by Tuesday morning, Skelos continued to declare his innocence, as well as his effectiveness in guiding the GOP small majority through the final weeks of the legislative session.

Skelos and his son Adam turned themselves in to federal authorities Monday morning after being slapped with a criminal complaint accusing them of bribery, extortion and other charges. Prosecutors claim Skelos allegedly worked to “monetize” his office by doling out extensive legislative favors to his son’s business clients.

The complaint is based on a several pieces of evidence including wiretaps and cooperating witnesses.

On Tuesday most Republican senators – including local representative Cathy Young – stood by Skelos, claiming he is innocent until proven guilty.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, has yet to comment on the arrest, despite requests from reporters.

The charges against Skelos, like those that led to the January arrest of Sheldon Silver, were brought by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Preet Bharara, who is also reportedly looking into Cuomo and his cancellation of the Moreland Commission panel on public corruption.

Dean Skelos (R-Long Island)

NEW YORK – The leader of the New York state Senate surrendered to authorities on Monday to face several corruption charges, including extortion and soliciting bribes.

The charges against 67 year old Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) stem from a federal investigation into the awarding of a $12 million contract to a company that hired his son – 32 year old Adam Skelos – who is also facing charges.

The two men surrendered at the FBI’s offices in lower Manhattan as a criminal complaint was unsealed against them in federal court, where they appeared later in the day.

Authorities said Dean Skelos has used his position as a carrot since at least 2010, taking official actions in return for payments to his son.

The complaint also aid the Senate leader monetized his position by extorting money from others, including hundreds of thousands of dollars from a senior executive of a major real estate development firm who was cooperating with the government. According to court papers, some evidence was obtained through court-authorized wiretaps on cellphones used by the father and son.

In a statement, Dean Skelos said he expected to be exonerated at trial.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara – who was responsible for arresting former Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver earlier this year – also headed up the investigation against Skelos.

NY Assemblyman Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan). (Source: AP)

ALBANY – Former state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was in a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to federal fraud and extortion charges following his indictment last week.

In addition, his lawyers asked a judge to throw out the case, saying the U.S. Attorney in charge of the case went too far in discussing the case publicly.

Silver is accused of using his power in the State Assembly to reap $4 million in kickbacks. The investigation by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (Buh-Rare-Uh) was announced last month and led to Silver step down as Assembly Speaker while he battles the corruption charges. However, he still retains the lower Manhattan Assembly seat he has held for nearly 40 years.

Silver’s attorneys contest that Bharara’s statements after Silver’s arrest in January broke rules about what prosecutors can say outside of court and prejudiced the grand jury that indicted him last week.

Silver’s successor as Assembly speaker, Democrat Carl Heastie, has promised to focus on ethics and integrity. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has also suggested his own proposals, including full disclosure of outside income.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island)

ALBANY – The leader of the New York State Senate is refuting a story that came out late last week saying he was also under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s office.

According to the Albany Times-Union, spokeswoman for Senate Leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) says a report by WNBC on Thursday night was a thinly-sourced report and called it irresponsible and not meeting the standards of serious journalism.

The story credited its information to “people familiar with the investigation,” and said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara – who was the lead investigator in the Silver Corruption investigation – was “taking a hard look at Skelos’ ties to the real estate industry, among other areas of inquiry.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island)

ALBANY – Another leader in the New York State legislature is being investigated by the same federal investigator who arrested Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

NBC New York is reporting that U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara has turned his sights on state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. The Long Island Republican is being investigated for outside income, particularly his ties to the real estate industry.

No charges have been filed.

In addition to leading the Senate, Skelos (R-Nassau County) serves as of counsel to a Long Island law firm.

He publicly disclosed making between $150,000 and $250,000 from the firm in 2013.

Word of the investigation comes a week after Bharara announced the arrest of powerful longtime Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on federal corruption charges. In announcing Silver’s arrest, Bharara warned people to “stay tuned” for more Albany corruption arrests.

UPDATE: In response to the report, Skelos’ office sent out a statement Friday morning which said “[Thursday] night’s thinly sourced report by WNBC is irresponsible, and does not meet the standards of serious journalism.”