11.   Ramirez also accused the senator of conspiring with Republican officials to pick candidates to run against Democrats endorsed by the Bronx Democratic organization.

12.   The ethics charges against DiFrancesco were filed by Statehouse Democrats in February and accused the senator of improperly taking below-market loans from influential political figures.

13.   The senator is also accused of pressuring a lobbyist to get his ex- wife a job so he could cut back on his alimony.

14.   They accuse the senator of lying in asserting that Schumer was a proponent of big tax increases.

15.   Things soured quickly, though, after Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez, the Bronx Democratic county chairman, accused the senator of reneging on promises to him.

16.   Giordano has accused the senator of being too interested in his national profile and not spending enough time understanding the needs of Connecticut.

17.   Senators are accused of accepting money in exchange for their votes in favor of a controversial labor law.

18.   The Socialist senator is accused of taking bribes to rig the awarding of a contract to construct public housing.