The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan on Monday affirmed the conviction of former State Senate Democratic leader John Sampson for obstruction of justice and other charges, and opened the door to prosecutors reinstating embezzlement charges against him. Sampson, 53, of Brooklyn, is serving a five-year sentence for efforts he made to cover up the embezzlement of $ 188,000 in surplus funds he held as court-appointed referee on two foreclosure sales and allegedly used to underwrite a failed campaign for district attorney in Brooklyn.
