Ex-Assemblyman William Scarborough Gets Jail For False Expense Claims

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A former longtime state assemblyman from New York City has been sentenced to 13 months in jail on federal fraud and theft charges for submitting false expense vouchers for days he didn't actually travel to Albany.

Queens Democrat William Scarborough, who pleaded guilty and resigned his Assembly seat in May, admitted in federal court that he submitted at least $40,000 in false expense vouchers.

Apologizing on Monday, he says this is the result of his own stupidity.

He was also ordered to pay a federal penalty of $54,355.

In state court, Scarborough pleaded guilty to grand larceny, admitting he took $38,000 in unauthorized cash withdrawals from his campaign fund for personal use.

At state sentencing, he is expected to repay a similar amount and face a concurrent jail term.

Scarborough had been in office since 1994 and  chaired the Assembly Committee on Small Business.

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