A Democratic lawmaker has been charged with improperly billing his campaign for over $40,000 in personal expenses but maintains his innocence says that, if anything, the state owes him money.
New York State Assemblyman William Scarborough faces a 23-count indictment. Via Syracuse.com:
William Scarborough, a 68-year-old Queens Democrat, was shackled and wearing a suit Wednesday morning when he pleaded not guilty in Albany County Court to charges of grand larceny and filing false campaign documents.
The 23-count indictment accuses him of taking his campaign funds and spending the money on his personal expenses.
Scarborough has been accused improperly claiming “per diem” expenses in excess of $40,000 for travel that didn’t take place. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 37 years in prison.
The Democrat also found himself facing federal charges. Via the Times Union:
Fresh off pleading not guilty to state charges earlier in the day, Assemblyman William Scarborough again pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon, this time to 11 counts leveled against him by federal prosecutors.
The Queens Democrat was charged with seven counts of wire fraud and four counts of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds.
Scarborough and his attorney spoke with the media briefly and said he’s such a charitable guy that he didn’t even file some per diems and that the state actually owes him money.
Watch:
Scarborough had his home and offices raided in March, when he claimed that it was simply a misunderstanding of the Assembly voucher system that led to the investigation.
Cross-posted at the Mental Recession
