New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver stopped to sign a sketch of himself in court today as he left the building seemingly unfazed. Silver, one of the most powerful politicians in the state, was taken into custody around 8am on Thursday and was later charged at Manhattan federal court with taking $4million in bribes disguised as legal fees. He was  released on $200,000 bail. The 70-year-old Democrat was arrested by the FBI on federal conspiracy and bribery charges that carry up to 100 years in prison and could cost him his political seat. Silver is a Democrat from Manhattan's Lower East Side and a longtime leader of the Assembly's Democratic majority. The arrest comes just a day after Silver shared the stage with Governor Andrew Cuomo during his State of the State address.
@highlight
Sheldon Silver left the courtroom today seemingly 'unfazed' and even signed a court sketch on his way out
@highlight
'I'm confident that after a full hearing and due process I'll be vindicated on the charges,' said Silver today
@highlight
Silver did not enter a plea
@highlight
Silver was taken into custody around 8am Thursday and later charged at Manhattan federal court where he was later released on $200,000 bail
@highlight
New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one of the most powerful politicians in the state was arrested and charged
@highlight
Accused of taking $4million in bribes disguised as legal fees
@highlight
Silver, 70, a Democrat from Manhattan, has served as speaker for 20 years
@highlight
Silver is one of the most private and least-understood figures, sometimes called 'the Sphinx'
facing the public: Speaker of the @placeholder, Sheldon Silver, walks out of a New York court house after being arrested on federal corruption charges