A federal judge has refused to dismiss charges against former New York state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, noting defendants face “a high hurdle” when trying to challenge an indictment's sufficiency in a dismissal motion.

Silver argued he broke no laws despite accusations by federal prosecutors of bribes, kickbacks and extortion. But Southern District Judge Valerie Caproni rejected Silver's bid on Friday, saying the Southern District U.S. Attorney's Office sufficiently described charges in an indictment brought against Silver after his January arrest.

Silver's attorneys said their client would be vindicated at trial. Silver is charged with theft of honest services, mail fraud and wire fraud, two counts of Hobbs Act extortion and money laundering.