See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Vanessa Ogle
Brooklyn Daily
Twice-indicted state Sen. John Sampson (D–Canarsie) won the Sept. 9 Democratic primary by a significant margin, taking more than half of the votes cast in the four-way race.
The 17-year incumbent defeated challengers Dell Smitherman — who secured endorsements from Gov. Cuomo, Mayor DeBlasio, and the Working Families Party — Sean Henry, a former candidate for City Council, and Elias Weir, who ran against Sampson in 2012.
Sampson enjoyed the backing of the county Democratic Party machine led by Frank Seddio, and was endorsed late in the campaign by former Borough President Marty Markowitz.
In the solidly Democratic 19th Senate District, winning the primary is tantamount to reelection for Sampson in November, but he’s not in the clear yet.
The senator’s trial on charges of embezzlement and lying to federal investigators is set to begin next year, and if found guilty, Sampson would be forced to resign.
He was indicted on charges of allegedly stealing more than $400,000 from foreclosed home sales, and was later charged with lying to federal investigators about his ownership of a liquor store.
The Post reported last month that a source said Sampson’s former top aide Melvin Lowe illicitly funneled $75,000 of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee money to the senator. Sampson denied the allegation and said Lowe was lying to get a plea deal.
Sampson also caught heat during the campaign for receiving a $10,500 campaign donation from alleged former Gambino family associate, George Fortunato, whom Sampson said he considers a family friend.