He has a position as counsel to the New York personal injury and asbestosis specialist firm Weitz & Luxenberg. Partner Perry Weitz said that his firm was shocked at the allegations - including bribery and corruption - made against Mr Silver. Mr Perry said: 'As the US Attorney’s complaint clearly stated, we were never told that he was ever going to allocate, or had allocated, any state funding in exchange for client names he referred to us.'

Research funding

One claim made against Mr Silver is that he funneled $500,000 in state research funding to a doctor in exchange for lucrative asbestos-related claims being referred to Weitz & Luxenberg. Federal prosecutors say that the law firm paid Mr Silver over $3m for the referral work. But the firm is not accused of wrong-doing. Source: ABA