Topline
Brian Benjamin has resigned as lieutenant governor of New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said Tuesday afternoon, just hours after he was arrested and charged with fraudulently siphoning thousands of dollars into his failed 2021 campaign to become New York City comptroller.
Then New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin addresses the New York State Democratic Convention on Feb. 17, … [+]
Key Facts
Hochul, who chose Benjamin as lieutenant governor in September, said in a statement that Benjamin’s resignation was effective immediately because both she and Benjamin agreed he could not stay in office while the legal process was underway.
Benjamin reportedly pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records.
Federal prosecutors have not claimed Hochul was aware of Benjamin’s alleged crimes, which purportedly began around 2019, when Benjamin was a New York state senator.
Benjamin was released on a $250,000 bond and is next set to appear in court on April 19, Reuters reported.
Key Background
Benjamin was arrested Tuesday on accusations that he used his influence as a lawmaker to help obtain a $50,000 grant for nonprofit organization Migdol. In return, the organization allegedly obtained tens of thousands of dollars of possibly fraudulent campaign contributions for Benjamin in his bid for comptroller. In November, Migdol President Gerald Migdol was indicted for his alleged part in a scheme to fraudulently assist a comptroller candidate, though authorities did not immediately name Benjamin in connection to the case. Following Gerald Migdol’s indictment, Benjamin’s office claimed in a statement Benjamin had not been involved in the scheme, and said he had donated the Migdol organization’s campaign contributions to the Campaign Finances Board after he learned they were allegedly fraudulently sourced.
Crucial Quote
“This is a simple story of corruption,” Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, told the New York Times prior to Benjamin’s resignation. “Taxpayer money for campaign contributions. A quid quo pro. This for that. That’s bribery, plain and simple.”
Surprising Fact
Benjamin will probably stay on the Democratic Party primary ballot for lieutenant governor this June, the New York Times reported, due to election rules preventing his removal unless he were to move out of the state, die or run for a different office.
Further Reading
“New York Lt. Gov. Benjamin Arrested For Campaign Finance Fraud” (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharysmith/2022/04/12/new-york-lt-gov-benjamin-resigns-after-arrest-for-alleged-campaign-finance-fraud/