Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he asked Assemblyman Vito Lopez to resign from office last week amid the sexual harassment scandal.
The speaker said he'd be exploring legal avenues to force him out if he refuses. Lopez hasn't resigned as Brooklyn party boss, and instead will remain until the next election, which allows him to preside over his successor's selection.
Candidates to replace Lopez as party leader have been making themselves known. Democratic consultants expect Silver, who approved the secret, taxpayer-funded settlement, to weather the controversy unscathed.
