NEW YORK (AP) - A former New York state Senate leader and his son have been convicted of bribery and extortion charges at their federal corruption trial.

A jury reached the verdict on Tuesday in the case against Dean Skelos and his son, Adam.

The two were accused of selling the once-powerful Republican's office by pressuring wealthy businessmen into giving Skelos' son roughly $300,000 for no-show jobs. Prosecutors said the payments were bribes intended to win support for legislation favored by the businesses.

The defense sought to portray the elder Skelos as a doting father who was merely trying to look out for a child struggling to find employment. Defense lawyers argued that there was no bribery because the ex-senator never took official action for any of the businessmen.