QUEENS — Southeast Queens state assemblyman William Scarborough, who filed false travel expenses to get extra money because he said he was not making enough, is set to plead guilty to federal corruption charges and resign from office.
Scarborough, who according to published reports makes $79,500, was accused of filing false expenses in order to get at least $40,000 in travel reimbursements.
“I want to apologize to my family, my colleagues, my staff, my community and all those who believed in me, and whom I misled as this issue unfolded,” said Scarborough, whose district includes portions of Jamaica, St. Albans and Laurelton, in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
The assemblyman, who has held the office since 1995, said that he did not get a raise in 16 years. He also said that between 2009 and 2012, he faced “severe financial problems.”
“Money had always been tight, but sharply increased expenses created a financial crisis,” he wrote. “I took on a second job at a college, but still found myself unable to keep up with my bills.”
He also said that his pride would not let him admit to his friends and family that he was not making enough money.
“So I made a terrible choice to take advantage of a travel system where you simply said you were in Albany and you were reimbursed, basically no questions asked,” he said.
Scarborough initially pleaded not guilty, but will now change his plea.
Scarborough also faces grand larceny charges related to his campaign money that he allegedly used for personal expenses.
A number of other lawmakers representing Southeast Queens were recently charged with corruption, including state senators Shirley Huntley and Malcolm Smith.
