NY's Bruno: Probe unrelated to decision not to run

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York's Republican Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said on Tuesday his surprising decision not to seek re-election had nothing to do with a federal probe of his business ties.

"I have never been accused of anything and I don't ever expect to be accused of anything because I haven't done anything wrong," Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said at a news conference in Albany.

"They (prosecutors) have been at this two years and I am confident that nothing has been done wrong and that time will reveal that, and that (investigation) has absolutely no bearing on my life," Bruno added.

He said his decision not to seek re-election after 32 years in office was a personal decision that partly stemmed from his desire to spend more time with his family.

The Republicans now control the Senate with a one-seat majority and Bruno's surprise announcement could boost the Democratic Party's chances of winning the Senate for the first time in decades and keeping control of the Assembly.

Bruno said his members probably will tap a new leader this afternoon, after the regular session ends.

Bruno praised Democratic Gov. David Paterson for his willingness to negotiate. Paterson replaced former Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer in mid-March after Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal. Spitzer had tried to tarnish the Senate majority leader, with whom he had a stormy relationship, by publicizing his use of state aircraft.