This story has no true value as political argument. I'm only sharing it because it makes me wonder how low a person call fall and still expect to be rewarded with a leadership role in our society.
New York State Senator John L. Sampson
New York State Senator John L. Sampson (D) won his primary earlier this year, despite the fact that he is under indictment for embezzling funds from the sales of two foreclosed Brooklyn properties, sales that he was overseeing as a court appointed administrator. He is also charged with obstruction of justice, witness tampering, evidence tampering and making false statements.
The charge of embezzlement was taken up in Judge Irizarry's courtroom last week, During that session, his lawyers didn't bother arguing against the charge of embezzlement. They acknowledged that Mr. Sampson had, in fact, put some of the funds he collected into escrow accounts over which he alone had control. Instead, they argued that the charges should be dismissed because the embezzlement happened over five years ago and the statute of limitations has expired.
Alexander Solomon, prosecutor on the case, argued that the embezzlement was "not complete until the defendant used the funds in the escrow accounts". Mr. Solomon said it was not clear that a crime had been committed until Mr. Sampson began cutting checks in his own name, and that had happened within the five year window.
Judge Irizarry said that the failure of Mr. Sampson to return the money to the state "shows some intention," but asked what would happen if someone embezzles money but never uses it. He told the prosecutor that "By your reasoning, a referee who does that could never be prosecuted.
The case has not been decided.
Still shaking my head.
No comments:
Post a Comment