Latest update February 7th, 2025 10:13 AM
Latest News
- Pres. Ali defends Jagdeo’s attacks on critics
- VP Jagdeo tries to compare 75 acres of jungle lands Nigel Hughes wants to acquire with 35 acres of prime city lands sold to Ed Ahmad and others
- Greaves tells Govt ‘clean money’ used to acquire New York properties- Jagdeo
- Trump says Israel would hand Gaza to the US after fighting is over
- Speeding truck ploughs into house at Lusignan
Ed Ahmad is star witness as trial of US Senator begins
New York – After a four-month delay, the trial of State Senator John Sampson kicked off Monday
State Senator John Sampson
with the jury selection process.
Sampson faces charges related to an alleged embezzlement scheme in which prosecutors say he misused funds entrusted to him as a lawyer in foreclosure proceedings to fund a failed political campaign. Though he has escaped embezzlement charges on a statute of limitations argument, he is still accused of attempting to conceal money that he allegedly stole.
Sampson was first arrested and accused of embezzling approximately $400,000 in 2012, having allegedly used the funds from the sale of foreclosed homes to fund a bid for district attorney in 2005, according to reports. While the judge tossed out those charges due to time limitations, Sampson still faces nine counts including obstruction of justice, witness and evidence tampering, concealment of records and making false statements to law enforcement officers, the Wall Street Journal reports.
To replace the funds, Sampson allegedly borrowed money from real estate broker, Guyanese-born Edul Ahmad, who himself was charged in July 2012 and pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud. Prosecutors say Sampson ordered Ahmad to destroy evidence upon his arrest.
The Daily News reports that Ahmad pressed Sampson for political favours when he failed to repay the loan. Ahmad is being called as a witness for the prosecution, and secretly taped Sampson for investigators.
Sampson is also accused of witness tampering, having allegedly requested the prosecution’s witness list from
Edul Ahmad
a friend in the U.S. attorney’s office. The prosecution claims Sampson said he wanted the list so he could “take them out.”
The senator, who represents a broad swath of Sheepshead Bay connected by a one-block-wide stretch to his home base of Canarsie and East New York, found himself in hot water again last week when he was rebuked by the judge for attempting to contact Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, who is expected to testify at his trial.
Opening arguments will be presented tomorrow.
Sampson faces 20 years in prison if found guilty. He pleaded not guilty. (SheepsheadBites.com)
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
What Guyanese leaders can learn from Donald Trump
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-There is little dispute that Donald Trump knows how to make an entrance. He does so without... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
