Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's attempt to dismiss the corruption charges against him was rejected Friday, but not without some sharp words from the judge for Southern District U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

Southern District Judge Valerie Caproni, in denying Silver's motion to dismiss, criticized Bharara for venturing “close to the edge” in January with public comments about corruption in Albany on the day that Silver was charged and in the days that followed.

Silver's attorneys claimed that Bharara tainted the grand jury with statements about accusations that Silver used his position in Albany to generate fees from personal injury and asbestos litigation firm Weitz & Luxenberg and a second firm that specialized in real estate tax appeals. The attorneys also claimed that the chief prosecutor later prejudiced his chances for a fair trial with more comments once Silver had been indicted.