The state Senate’s Democratic fund-raising machine has sucked in more than $400,000 in contributions from senators who have been indicted or are being investigated — and it hasn’t returned a dime.
The biggest contributor, John Sampson — who was indicted two weeks ago on obstruction of justice and embezzlement charges — pumped nearly $350,000 into the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee through his re-election committee from January 2011 to January 2013.
“There should be an investigation,” demanded a Senate Republican. “The money that’s going into the DSCC definitely has to be questioned.”
Embattled state sens. José Peralta, Velmanette Montgomery and Eric Adams have funneled more than $70,000 to the DSCC.
Federal law-enforcement officials caught all three on tape during wiretapped conversations with Shirley Huntley, an ex-senator who pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges 10 days ago.
“The US Attorney’s Office has advised [Sen. Peralta’s] attorney that he’s not the target of an investigation,” said Peralta spokesman Frank Sobrino.
The $422,909.56 in contributions from Sampson, Peralta, Montgomery and Adams for the 2012 election cycle represents about 20 percent of all the money raised by the body during that time period.
“Clearly Sampson’s money is tainted,” said Dick Dadey, executive director of Citizens Union, a government watchdog group.