Silver pal tells of $1M referral deal

divided between Pocesta and eight other building employees, according to court papers.

“I was like the son he never had,” claims Hoti, who has worked at Sutton Manor for 28 years. “We were like family. I looked out for him.”

“He’d get up pretty early in the morning, sit in the lobby and talk to Eddie for a few hours,” said Bernard Dworkin, a building resident who represents the employees.

A judge decided Friday the note isn’t a valid will, Dworkin conceded — but allows another search of Stephen Evans’ apartment to see whether a formal document exists.

“If we don’t find a will before the next court date, it’s over for us,” said Dworkin, who has asked the court for $50,000 from the estate to cover legal fees.

Michael Evans, who couldn’t be reached for comment, says he has the right to handle his uncle’s estate.

His mother, Barbara — Stephen Evans’ sister-in-law — slammed the workers’ claim.

“That letter shouldn’t be valid at all,” she said. “It wasn’t notarized — I don’t understand how they can even make the claim in the court.” ONE DAY in the late 1990s, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver — one of the state’s most powerful politicians — summoned his pal Jay Arthur Goldberg to his legislative office with news that federal prosecutors say eventually put $1 million in Silver’s pocket.

Goldberg, 74, is a lawyer who handles property tax appeals for building owners. Silver had just landed him what turned out to be Goldberg’s biggest client.

“Yaacov, I think I’ve going to be able to refer Glenwood Management,” Silver said, addressing Goldberg by his Hebrew name.

Glenwood owns luxury high-rise apartment buildings in Manhattan. Goldberg would get 25% of whatever money he saved on Glenwood’s property taxes. In turn, he would hand Silver 25% of his earnings from Glenwood as a referral fee.

“Is this all right, Shelly?” Goldberg recalled replying.

“Of course, Yaacov,” Silver. 74, answered. “I’m a lawyer.”

Recounting the meeting Tuesday at Silver’s corruption trial in Manhattan Federal Court, Goldberg said he deferred to Silver’s judgment on the ethical implications of paying him the fees.

Silver’s conviction of the charges in November 2015 was overturned on appeal. Prosecutors are expected to rest their case tomorrow.