Dean Skelos seeks early release over coronavirus fears, but prosecutors push back

Former New York state senator Dean Skelos is seeking to end his federal prison sentence early because of fears over coronavirus — but prosecutors are arguing that he may well be safer behind bars than heading back to New York.

Skelos filed a sealed emergency motion seeking to finish his term in home confinement, according to prosecutors’ opposition, which was filed Tuesday.

Skelos, who used his office to get his son Adam cash and jobs, cited coronavirus cases in federal prisons in his effort to be released, but didn’t provide any information that showed the Bureau of Prisons was not taking steps to slow the spread, prosecutors wrote.

They added Skelos provided no information to show that he’d be better protected from contracting the virus outside of his cell in federal prison in Otisville.

“It bears noting that while Skelos does not specify his desired place of release, his primary residence is in New York State, which, as noted in his submission, is currently the global epicenter of the coronavirus,” wrote prosecutors, who noted the steps federal prisons were taking to stop the disease.

“Beginning approximately two months ago, in January 2020, BOP began to plan specifically for coronavirus/COVID-19 to ensure the health and safety of inmates and BOP personnel,” the prosecutors wrote in their opposition.

Judge Kimba Wood has not yet ruled on whether he’ll be cut loose.

A number of other inmates in New York federal prison have sought release amid the virus outbreak in the state and several cases in the federal prison system.

A Manhattan federal judge last week denied rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine’s bid for home release after he petitioned citing his asthma as a condition that put him at serious risk behind bars.