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Two New York Politicians Were Sharing the Same Mistress

Corruption probe unveils love triangle involving longtime Clinton political ally

Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver / AP
April 18, 2016

Sheldon Silver, the former speaker of the New York state assembly, used his political power to end the career of a man who was sleeping with one of his mistresses, according to a report in the New York Post.

Both Silver and Assemblyman Dan Burling, a Republican, became sexually involved with Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer. When Silver learned of Burling and Hyer-Spencer—who used to lock themselves in his Albany office for hours—he engineered the drawing of new lines around Burling’s district, exposing him to a primary challenge and forcing him to retire.

The New York Post reports:

Silver was so jealous of then-Assemblyman Dan Burling carrying on with then-Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer that he forced his romantic rival out of office through a redistricting scheme, sources said.

He engineered the drawing of new lines around Burling’s upstate district in 2012, said well-placed sources on both sides of the aisle in Albany.

The maneuver expanded the Republican’s district into Erie County and exposed him to a potential primary challenge from East Aurora Mayor David DiPietro, sources said.

Rather than face that battle, Burling, a licensed pharmacist who is also married, retired from the Assembly. His seat was won by DiPietro, who was re-elected in 2014.

Although Hyer-Spencer is married, she used to make her special relationship with Silver known to colleagues, according to lawmakers that spoke with the Post.

Silver's infidelity was uncovered by federal prosecutors as they were looking into the means by which Silver used his political power to personally enrich himself to the tune of $4 million. The former speaker was forced to resign from his post after it became clear that he would be found guilty of seven federal charges of fraud and extortion.

Hyer-Spencer is the first of Silver's two alleged mistresses that has been uncovered. Her lawyer confirmed that she had an affair with Silver.

Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney that uncovered Silver's misdeeds, is currently looking into the relationship that political donors to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had with top officials in the NYPD.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is a longtime political ally of Silver and once referred to him as a "stalwart voice on the needs for New Yorkers."

UPDATE 11:30 a.m: This headline was updated.