Case 1:15-cr-00093-VEC Document 262-3 Filed 04/20/16 Page 7 of 13
January 4, 2016 The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni United States District Judge Southern District of New York 40 Foley Square New York, NY 10007 Re: Sheldon Silver Dear Judge Caproni: My association with Sheldon Silver began with my outreach to him in 1978 when I decided to seek elected office as a member of the New York City Council. As a co-religionist, a devoted family member, a lawyer and himself an elected official, I could think of no better person from whom to seek enlightenment about what it meant to engage in political activities. Shelly, as he was known by all, told me straight that as an elected office holder I had a sacred duty to serve my constituents, who could re-elect me, as well as the larger constituency of NYC. My service to NYC would manifest itself through my budget requests, the legislation I introduced and supported, and my attention to individual and community needs. Shelly strongly alerted me to the fact that being in politics was not like being on the board of an NGO. Politics, She lly advised, was the art of listening, understanding and making sure that whatever deal you agreed to on behalf of your constituents could withstand any legal chal lenges. "Be careful, he advised, the line between what is acceptable behavior and is not can often be very blurry. It may be very hard to distinguish sometimes between the two." I am aware that Sheldon Silver was convicted of corruption related offenses, however, knowing how concerned he was about the pitfalls in politics and the cautionary advice he gave me, makes me believe that the mistakes he made were tota lly without malice and that his sentence should reflect his long held view of respect for the law and should be lenient in its application. Shelly was the longest serving Speaker of the Assembly. Clearly not only did his constituents, who changed from 95% Jewish to 95% Asian, adore him, but they continuously re-elected a man of great compassion for his constituency and for the state at large as well as one who received tremendous respect from his colleagues in the Assembly.
Respectfully submitted,
/Jr}va d~ IJ)iu
The Honorable Susan Alter Former City Council Member