Former Bronx State Sen. Guy Velella, whose long public-service career ended in disgrace after he was convicted of bribery and sent to prison, died yesterday. He was 66.
Velella, who had suffered from cancer for years, is survived by his wife, Patricia, and five kids.
At one point, the Bronx Republican, whose district also encompassed parts of Westchester County, was one of Albany’s most powerful players.
His 30-year tenure in the state Legislature saw stints in the Assembly and state Senate. He also served as chairman of the Bronx Republican Party.
Velella remained popular with voters despite his 1987 admission to having a secret love child with his longtime upstate mistress.
His political career quickly tumbled, though, when authorities implicated him, his elderly father and others in a lucrative kickback scheme for state contracts.
Velella stepped down from the Senate and pleaded guilty to one count of bribery in 2004. Although sentenced to a year in jail, he was sprung after just three months, thanks to the decision of a little-known mayoral panel.
His early release sparked a massive public outcry and drew accusations of favoritism. After the city’s Department of Investigation found that he’d been freed illegally, Mayor Bloomberg quickly canned the board that engineered his release.
In total, Velella served 182 days in jail for his crime.
“I was deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of former Senator Guy Velella,” Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-LI) said in a statement.
“Guy was close personal friend and colleague. He will be remembered for his many years of service to his constituents in The Bronx and Westchester, for his great sense of humor and his straightforward manner.”