Combating corruption/  Criminally charging state legislators

The top federal prosecutor in Manhattan said on Friday he hoped that criminal charges brought against New York state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver would mark a "turning point for reform" to stop rampant corruption in the state's capital.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said New Yorkers should be angry that the capital, Albany, houses "one of the most corrupt governments in the nation," with lawmakers more likely to be arrested than tossed out of office by voters.

"If ever there was a moment for real reform, I think it's now," Bharara told an overflow crowd in a speech at New York Law School in downtown Manhattan.

Prosecutor urges reform after charging NY speaker with corruption