Report: Preet Bharara looking at Dean Skelos, too

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is the latest power figure in Albany to find himself under the watchful eye of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, according to a new report.

NBC 4 New York reported late Thursday that Bharara is investigating Skelos' "sources of income" and "ties to the real estate industry," citing unnamed "people familiar with the investigation." The report didn't provide more details on the apparent probe.

Skelos, R-Nassau County, reported receiving between $150,000 and $250,000 in outside income last year from Ruskin, Moscou & Faltischek last year, but the report said the Long Island-based firm is not the focus of Bharara's probe.

"Preet Bhahara is looking at a lot of people. I think they're investigating everyone's outside income," state Sen. Rich Funke, R-Pittsford, said. "That doesn't mean charges are going to be filed. ... That's the problem with headlines."

Funke and other political figures were attending the annual legislative breakfast for the Greater Rochester Partnership for the Elderly, held at Locust Hill Country Club.

"It's unfortunate that every one in the state Assembly and state Senate runs the risk of getting painted with the same brush," Funke said. "I would hope that anyone that runs for public office has the public interest first and foremost in their hearts and not their own interests. "

"We've increased the information that has to be given on ethics forms and on people's income," Sen. Joe Robach, R-Greece, said during the same breakfast. "There's a continued attempt to make government and the people that work for it as transparent as possible."

Bharara, the federal prosecutor for New York's southern district, has been critical of Albany's political culture, and last week sent reverberations through the state Capitol when he brought charges against Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, for his alleged participation in a kickback scheme. Silver has denied the charges, but is expected to vacate the speaker's office by Monday.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's role in the abrupt closure last year of the Moreland Commission, an anti-corruption panel, has also drawn interest from Bharara.

"Stay tuned," Bharara said last week after announcing Silver's charges.

"I think the U.S. attorney is doing his job in the absence of the Moreland Commission," Funke said.

A spokesman for Skelos could not immediately be reached for comment late Thursday.

Includes reporting by Democrat and Chronicle staff writer Patti Singer.