Glenwood Exec Takes Stand at Skelos Trial, Details Ex-Majority Leader’s Temper

A top real estate company official recalled today how indicted ex-State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos shook down himself and other industry leaders for donations ahead of votes on key issues—while simultaneously pestering him to get work for his son, Adam Skelos, who is also on trial.

Charles Dorego, chief counsel for luxury developer Glenwood Management, testified how the Nassau County Republican used heavy-handed threats to extract political contributions during election years while the industry lobbied the pol on key issues—and all while the legislator and his son incessantly pestered him for employment opportunities. The lawyer, who handled much of Glenwood’s political work, said the company hoped to obstruct the passage of campaign finance reform laws, see the controversial 421a tax abatement renewed, obtain a favorable tax cap on revenue from apartment buildings and to prevent Democrats from taking control of the State Senate and giving control of the New York City rent laws from Albany to the City Council—which Mr. Dorego compared to “an atomic bomb.”