“Approaching 80 years old, I don't need this fight. I wasn’t looking for this fight. But I will tell you now Brian, they picked on the wrong guy. Others have tried to bring me down. And I am still here,”Bruno said.

Days after federal prosecutors charged the one time top republican with eight counts of fraud, alleging pay to play politics that enriched him, Bruno calls the accusations nothing more than a witch hunt.

“So they concocted what they saw as a scheme. That is in their imagination, in their mind, because what they are doing, if you go through that indictment, they are talking about what people were thinking. What I was thinking,” Bruno said. “So this is disgusting because this is selective prosecution. They wanted to get Joe Bruno.”

Breaking his silence in an exclusive television interview, Bruno said his lawyers had warned against it.

“My attorneys have cautioned me in the same way. But my style has always been to be upfront. I have nothing to hide. I am not going to go cower in some corner because I want to let the public know that I did nothing wrong,” Bruno said.

Point by point, the former majority leader refuted allegations that he was improperly paid by private parties that benefited from his public power. Some of those parties had business before the state he helped run. Bruno admits he was paid the money, says it was all legal and ethical.

"I don't apologize for anything. I have a right, This is a part time legislature. I have a right to earn whatever I can earn honestly, just like any other part time legislator. So, what did I do wrong? Nothing,” said Bruno.

Prosecutors disagree. And in an admission that could prove damning, Bruno said his actions we intentional.

“I did right,” Bruno said. “And when I was doing what I was doing, I did that consciously. I am not a child.”

In the 30 minute interview, Bruno lashed out at the press, rival politicians and the FBI, calling their tactics pure intimidation.

“We are not a third world county,” said Bruno. “This is not the Gestapo going out and banging on peoples doors.”

And finally, from the man who was known for his hardnosed political fights?

“Mother Theresa could have been indicted by that grand jury for how she led her life. And I say that in all good grace,” Bruno said.

Bruno faces up to 20 years on each of the eight charges against him and the possible loss of his property. He says he won't go down. If he does, it won't be easy.