NEWS ANALYSIS: Sampson scandal: Corruption’s nothing new in Brooklyn
When bribery and corruption charges were filed against leaders of the Queens and Bronx Democratic Party organizations, including state Senator Malcolm Smith — many observers of the Brooklyn political scene were glad that Brooklyn party officials were not named — especially in light of past scandals.
Their feelings of relief were short-lived, however, when state Senator John Sampson was arrested on Monday and as charged by federal prosecutors with embezzlement, obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI.
Sampson, who became conference chairman of the Democratic Conference of the State Senate in 2009, basically kept out of the headlines. Entries in the Eagle files for him generally dealt with topics like taking part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new building or speaking at a press conference on a non-controversial issue.