Federal appeals court dismisses three counts against Sheldon Silver

ALBANY — A federal appeals court issued a ruling Tuesday vacating three of the seven counts on which former state Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver was convicted, but also affirmed four of the counts, including a money laundering charge.It was not immediately clear what the ruling will mean for Silver, who has been free on bond after appealing his conviction. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.The appellate court, which dismissed two honest services counts and one Hobbs Act count, remand