State Senator John L. Sampson is no stranger to accusation. In fact suspicions about the senator have been in the air for years. But the senator took things to a new level, some say when he realized he was being watched by authorities. He attempted to get help from a friend that was working in the office of the United Sates attorney for the Eastern District.
Sate Sen.John Sampson tried to get his hands on a list of witnesses who could testify against him, so that he could arrange to “take them out.”
He wasn’t asking for much—just for the friend to get him all the names of those witnesses willing and eager to testify against him. As reported in the New York Times it was so Sampson could “arrange to take them [the witnesses] out.”
The indictment unsealed the other day against the former Ethics Committee chairman, details accusations that he stole more than $400,000 from the sale of foreclosed homes. Prosecutors say the irony of the case is intensified by the fact that the funds stolen were used to fuel Sampson’s bid to land the job as Brooklyn’s DA 7 years ago.
And despite the fact that he represents a senate district in Brooklyn, Sampson’s ties to Queens are strong, and equally as shady. Following the unsuccessful bid to be Brooklyn’s DA, Sampson talked Richmond Hill real estate developer Ed Ahmed, into helping him cover up by giving him almost $200,000.
Sampson also had close ties to fellow Guyanese attorney, Albert Baldeo with whom he credited with the responsibility of winning the majority in the state senate making it possible for Sampson to become the majority leader.
Things got more intense when Ahmad was brought up on Federal charges. He was named as the mastermind in a $50 million dollar mortgage scheme that focused on defrauding his own countrymen.
With the arrest, Sampson grew fearful that his illicit ties would be discovered, causing him to reach out for his connection at the US attorney’s office. The friend was identified by a law enforcement official as Sam Noel. He was allegedly fired from his job when he was found to be in possession of the paperwork that Sampson had asked him for.
Charges against Sampson come on the heels of multiple indictments against Queens politicians which include representation from both major parties. He is one in a line of powerful pols to fall after having been recorded secretly by former fellow senator, Queens’, Shirley Huntley.
United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Loretta E. Lynch, referred to the case as “one of the most extreme examples of political hubris we have yet seen.”
Charges against Sampson include embezzlement, five counts of obstruction of justice, and making false statements to the FBI. He has pled not guilty to all charges. Sources say that Sampson has not yet decided on a deal that was offered to him and which he has until the end of the month to accept or reject. The deal calls for him to plead guilty to embezzlement and one other charge and accept a sentence of roughly 3-4 years. If he is found guilty at trial, the biggest charge he faces could find him in prison for 20 years.
By Patricia Adams
