Legal issues behind corruption probe: A ‘subject’ is not a ‘target’
Politics are often wrought with corruption and scandal. Over the past year, scandal has marred many Brooklyn politicians who have been charged with various forms of political corruption schemes.
Assemblyman Vito Lopez has been accused of sexually harassing female staffers. While Lopez, who represents northern Brooklyn, denies the accusations, the state Assembly approved a $103,000 settlement to settle some of the harassment claims.
Another Assemblyman, William Boyland, was hit with federal mail-fraud charges for allegedly submitting fraudulent travel vouchers. And just this month, state Senator John Sampson was charged with embezzlement, obstruction of justice and making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.