Former Congressional Aide Sentenced for Accepting Illegal Gratuities in New York
A former aide to a U.S. Congressman has been sentenced to three months home confinement for accepting an illegal gratuity in exchange for promising to provide immigration-related assistance that never materialized.
Samuel Pierre, 29, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced yesterday in Manhattan federal court to three months home confinement for his role in the offense. Pierre was employed by a Member of Congress as a Brooklyn South Liaison in the Congressman’s District Office in Brooklyn from 2007 to July 2009.
Pierre’s co-defendant, Kenol Janvier, previously was sentenced to four months home confinement for his role in the offense. According to court filings and statements made in court, Pierre and Janvier promised to assist individuals with their immigration-related matters in exchange for a fee.
However, instead of providing assistance, Pierre and Janvier took hundreds of dollars from the individuals as a down payment for the promised help. They also sent emails using Pierre’s Congressional email account to inquire about the status of the individuals’ immigration-related matters and claimed that the individuals were constituents of the Congressman when, in truth and in fact, they were not.
Judge Fox sentenced Pierre to three years of probation, a $5,000 fine, and a $25 special assessment fee. Pierre was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,300 joint and several with Janvier.
The scheme, which occurred between 2007 and 2009, was uncovered after individuals who had paid Janvier to help them with their immigration-related matters tried to contact Pierre and Janvier to inquire about the status of their immigration matters. Pierre and Janvier either did not return the calls or continued to promise to help them but did not.
The sentence is a result of an investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which is led by Preet Bharara. The case is a reminder of the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions and ensuring that the public has faith in the integrity of our government institutions.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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