New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is free on $200,000 bond, after his arrest early Thursday on federal corruption charges. The powerful Manhattan Democrat is accused of using his public position to amass a nearly $4 million dollar fortune; money, prosecutors say, he didn't disclose and tried to keep secret.

But who is Sheldon Silver and how did he become one of the "Three Men in a Room" who run New York State?

New York State Public Radio Reporter Karen DeWitt told WNYC Thursday that Silver, who was the chair of the Ways and Means committee, came to power after the former Assembly Speaker, Queens Democrat Saul Weprin, died in 1994. 

In his more than 20 years in the position, Silver has become known as a champion for progressive causes like union workers, tenant rights and the minimum wage. And DeWitt said he's a master negotiator.

"He's known for holding out the longest and having the most patience in budget talks," said DeWitt. "When everyone thinks everything's agreed to, he says, 'Oh, I just have one more thing now.' And he delivers." 

Silver came under fire in 2012, when he was accused of trying to pay off women who accused former Assemblyman Vito Lopez of sexual harassment. He later apologized. 

As a new round of budget negotiations begin this year, DeWitt said a leadership fight in the Assembly could benefit Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Senate, where Republicans hold the majority.