Once powerful democratic leader NY state senator, John Sampson, jailed five years for lying to the FBI and obstruction of justice

Sampson attempted to stymie a mortgage fraud investigation into,Edul Ahmad,  a crony who loaned him money

He was lied to feds and was caught on tape admonishing Ahmad not to cooperate with investigators

He also lied about his secret ownership of a Brooklyn liquor store

Former state Sen. John Sampson [seen stepping out Brooklyn Federal Court], was sentenced Wednesday to 5 years in prison. He was convicted for lying to feds and obstruction of justice

Former state Sen. John Sampson [D-Brooklyn], once one of the most powerful politicians in New York, was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for lying to the FBI and obstruction of justice.
Prosecutors had recommended that he receive 87 months in prison while Sampson’s lawyers argued that one year and a day would be sufficient punishment.
The erstwhile Democratic leader  was convicted in 2015 of obstructing a federal criminal investigation and lying to an FBI agent. He was subsequently disbarred from practicing as an attorney in 2016, a panel of Appellate Division judges in NY.
Sampson it is alleged, attempted to stymie a mortgage fraud investigation into a crony, Edul Ahmad who loaned him money. Furthermore, he was accused of lying to federal authorities about his secret ownership of a Brooklyn liquor store.
“I understand these actions have caused pain to my family — my constituents,” Sampson said in court.
“My parents raised me better than this, and they didn’t sacrifice everything so I could end up in this predicament.”

Busineesman at the center of the fraud case – Edul Ahmad
John Sampson was caught on tape asking  Edul Ahmad not to speak with investigators during the investigation of the mortgage fraud

Describing Sampson as a ruthless opportunist, Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Dora Irizarry accused the former senator of violating the trust of the public.
“Where it has suited you in your own purpose, you have sidestepped your obligations, and if it hurts somebody else, so be it,” she said.
In mitigation Sampson’s lawyers contended that his crimes were less serious than those of disgraced Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, the once the most powerful Republican in the state Senate, was recently sentenced to five years in prison for bribery and extortion. The Long Island pol used his political power to secure cushy no-show jobs for his ne’er-do-well son.
Sampson argued in filings that Skelos’s conduct was a more “egregious abuse of power.”

During the trial, the prosecution told the court that Sampson embezzled around $440,000 entrusted to him as a court-appointed referee of foreclosure properties.
After the judge ruled that the statute of limitations on the embezzlement charges had passed, prosecutors pressed on with charges of obstructing the investigation, as well as, witnesses and evidence tampering.
Sampson was captured on tape by fed agents telling a cooperating witness, Edul Ahmad, to keep secret a $188,500 loan to Sampson that was never reported. pertinently, Sampson had solicited the loan in 2006 to cover up his embezzlement of foreclosure money.
“This opens up a can of worms,” Sampson said on the tape.
Sampson also encouraged Ahmad, who was charged with mortgage fraud, to lie to federal prosecutors about their relationship.
Based on the Supreme Court ruling overturning the bribery conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, Sampson has already asked for a trial. Just like
Skelos and former Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver,Sampson is arguing the McDonnell case redefined the legal definition of “official acts” done for corrupt reasons.