New York State Sen. Carl Kruger cops corruption plea, resigns

The Brooklyn senator gave up his fight against federal bribery charges Tuesday and relinquished the Senate seat he’s held for nearly two decades.

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Former New York state Sen. Carl Kruger has pleaded guilty to four counts in an influence peddling case.

Hours after resigning from office, embattled State Sen. Carl Kruger pleaded guilty Tuesday to pocketing more than $1 million in bribes in exchange for political favors. Mr. Kruger was arrested last March, along with seven other men, including Brooklyn Assemblyman William Boyland Jr., on a host of federal corruption charges.

“I hereby resign my office as State Senator for the 27th District, Kings County, effective immediately,” Mr. Kruger said in a letter filed with the state’s Senate Secretary Tuesday afternoon. His later guilty plea to felony charges would have triggered his immediate removal from the Senate.
Mr. Kruger, a southern Brooklyn lawmaker for nearly two decades and onetime chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, faces up to 11 years in prison on a host of charges ranging from fraud conspiracy to bribery conspiracy.