ALBANY — So much for Senate Minority Leader John Sampson’s punishment of short-fused Sen. Kevin Parker, who was convicted of damaging a Post photographer’s car and equipment.
Days before stripping Parker of a lucrative salary bonus this month for his recent criminal-mischief conviction, Sampson rewarded his fellow Brooklyn Democrat with a fat campaign contribution, The Post has learned.
The $5,000 check to Parker’s campaign account came Jan. 7 — just four days before the Senate Democratic leader announced he would “send a message” by bouncing Parker from his prized position as minority whip.
Parker was convicted in December of two misdemeanor counts stemming from his 2009 tussle with a Post fotog.
Parker’s demotion cost him a $14,500 annual leadership stipend.
But Sampson simultaneously confirmed Parker’s post as the Senate Energy Committee’s top minority member, a job that brings its own $9,000-a-year stipend.
Sampson spokesman Austin Shafran said the $5,000 check was intended to cover campaign expenses racked up by Parker during a Democratic primary last fall and insisted it had “nothing to do” with Parker’s punishment.
“This is campaign money that has to be used for campaign expenses,” he said.
