Sheldon Sliver’s corruption case cast a shadow over former Sen. Malcolm Smith’s bribery trial on Friday — as defense attorneys complained that publicity about the scandal would rob the Queens Democrat of a fair trial.
White Plains federal Judge Kenneth Karas delayed the start of closing arguments so he could question all 16 jurors one-by-one about whether they had heard of the Silver case — in which the state Assembly speaker is accused of taking $4 million in bribes and kickbacks.
After about 45 minutes, Karas decided the case could continue.