«The official acts necessary to sustain a charge of extortion or bribery include any act taken under color of official authority,» Wood wrote in her decision, describing how Skelos allegedly set up meetings and exerted pressure to benefit his son. (nypost.com)
Federal prosecutors, whom U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni ultimately agreed with, said an official act includes «any action taken or to be taken under color of official authority.» (timesunion.com)
At Silver's trial jurors were told they could convict based on «any action under color of official authority» by Silver, but the 2d Circuit said the Supreme Court ruling required a «formal exercise of government power,» rather than lesser acts like just making a phone call or having a meeting. (governing.com)