The former Democratic leader of the State Senate, John Sampson, was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for his alleged theft of money tied to the foreclosure sales of Brooklyn properties he was appointed to oversee. Grace Rauh filed the following report.

A federal judge sentenced former Brooklyn state Senator John Sampson to five years in prison. He's the fifth former legislative leader to be sentenced to time behind bars in the last three and a half years.

"Let me just say this. We started out with 11 counts. Mr. Sampson was sentenced today on three counts. And we look forward to the appeal," said Nick Akerman, a lawyer for John Sampson. 

Sampson was convicted in 2015 on one count of obstruction of justice and two counts of lying to federal investigators. He was accused of stealing money from the foreclosure sales of properties he was appointed to oversee. Prosecutors say he used some of the cash to bankroll his failed campaign for Brooklyn district attorney in 2005. 

The charges related to the alleged theft were ultimately dropped by the judge, due to the statute of limitations law.

"Mr. Sampson was an attorney in long standing and a former state senator who abused essentially every position that he had of trust for his own good," said Robert Capers, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District.

In Brooklyn federal court Wednesday, Sampson told the judge, "I apologize for my actions, but most of all I apologize for not respecting others."

"We are pleased with what occurred today, and we hope it sends the clear message to those who hold positions of trust to focus on preserving that public trust. Don't use these positions of trust to further your own personal goals," Capers said. 

Last year, former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was sentenced to 12 years in prison and former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos to five. In 2015, former state Senate Majority leader Malcolm Smith got seven years behind bars, and in 2013, former state Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. was sentenced to five.

Sampson is scheduled to turn himself in on April 21.