Feds won’t press for Skelos to begin term until high court rules

Manhattan federal prosecutors told the judge who sentenced Dean and Adam Skelos last week that the government won’t push for them to go to prison until at least three-plus months after the U.S. Supreme Court rules in a pending case on anti-corruption laws.

U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood sentenced the ex-Senate leader to 5 years and his son, Adam, to 6 1⁄2, but refused to set a surrender date until she received briefs on giving them bail pending appeal, because the upcoming ruling could lead to reversal of their convictions.

She had asked for briefs this week, but prosecutors said they would agree to leave them out until after the Supreme Court rules — likely by the June 24 end of its term — and the two sides file briefs over five weeks, and then agree to 60 more days after Wood rules.

The Supreme Court is reviewing the corruption conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. During oral arguments, several justices questioned whether the federal anti-corruption law — also used in the Skelos case — was too vague and being interpreted too broadly.

Last week, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara’s office had urged Wood to deny the Skeloses bail pending appeal. Their letter said lawyers for the two have agreed to the new plan.