New York Lieutenant Governor Resigns Amid Campaign Fraud Charges

Updated at 5:20 p.m.New York’s lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin, has resigned, the Associated Press reported, following a court appearance in Manhattan today on federal charges alleging bribery, fraud, and efforts to cover up criminal activity.Governor Hochul announced the resignation, the AP said.Mr. Benjamin allegedly conspired to direct state funds to a Harlem real estate investor, Gerald Migdol, in exchange for Mr. Migdol arranging thousands of dollars’ worth of fraudulent contributions to Mr. Benjamin’s unsuccessful 2021 campaign for New York City comptroller.“Brian Benjamin, the defendant, participated in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer,” the indictment reads. “Benjamin abused his authority as a New York State senator, engaging in a bribery scheme using public funds for his own corrupt purposes.”The indictment alleges that Mr. Benjamin sought to funnel $50,000 to the developer’s nonprofit. It also notes that Mr. Migdol provided funding for community events that Mr. Benjamin promoted in his state senate district.The contributions were allegedly made with the goal of exploiting New York City’s public campaign funding matching program, which could generate thousands of dollars of additional funding to Mr. Benjamin’s campaign.The investigation into Mr. Benjamin’s activities followed the arrest of Mr. Migdol, who could have provided information regarding Mr. Benjamin’s alleged activities. Mr. Migdol was arrested for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, among other charges.The indictment alleges that Mr. Benjamin and associates “engaged in a series of lies and deceptions in order to conceal the bribery scheme and Benjamin’s connection” to Mr. Migdol.In Mr. Benjamin’s appearance at the federal District Court in Lower Manhattan Tuesday afternoon, the lieutenant governor pleaded not guilty and was released on $250,000 with a stipulation that he will require special permission to travel to Albany. He did not respond to requests for comment at the courthouse, according to press reports.As recently as last week, Ms. Hochul confirmed that she planned to run with Mr. Benjamin in the 2022 gubernatorial election.“He is my running mate,” she said at a press conference. “I have the utmost confidence in my lieutenant governor.”At the same press conference Mr. Benjamin said that he had fully cooperated with investigators looking into his campaign. There is no evidence to suggest that Ms. Hochul was aware of the investigation into Mr. Benjamin’s activities when she appointed him as lieutenant governor, though the situation does call into question how thoroughly her team vetted him.

New York Lieutenant Governor Resigns Amid Campaign Fraud Charges

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