New York’s lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin, has been arrested and will be charged with the federal crimes of bribery and conspiracy in connection with a scheme involving phony campaign donations when Benjamin ran for New York City comptroller.
Benjamin, who was scheduled to appear in federal district court later Tuesday, is accused of conspiring with a Harlem real estate investor and former close associate, Gerry Migdol, to falsely inflate donations during Benjamin’s 2021 campaign for New York City comptroller.
The phony donations were allegedly used to gain tens of thousands of dollars from the city’s public matching fund for candidates for office.
Migdol was arrested last November.
READ THE INDICTMENT HERE
U.S. v. Brian Benjamin Indictment by WBFO on Scribd
REMARKS FROM US ATTORNEY DAMIAN WILLIAMS:
The indictment comes just seven months after the state’s former governor, Andrew Cuomo, resigned over multiple scandals. Benjamin will likely face pressure to resign from office, as well.
His name, though, will remain on the ballot as Hochul’s running mate. He was voted the Democratic Party’s designee at the convention in February and cannot be removed from the ballot unless he leaves the state, runs for another office or is deceased.
The New York Times reported the story first on Tuesday morning, saying that the legal turmoil casts Benjamin’s political future in question and complicates this year’s election for him and Hochul, who stood by her lieutenant.
Reports came out saying subpoenas had been issued to Benjamin regarding the financial issues even before Hochul picked him as lieutenant governor. Despite her saying she didn't know of the subpoenas at the time, Hochul proclaimed her support for Benjamin, and he said he had told state police as they went though the process of vetting him.
"I have utmost confidence in my lieutenant governor," Hochul said during a Thursday press conference. "This is an independent investigation related to other people and he's fully cooperating. He is my running mate."
Benjamin faces two primary challengers for lieutenant governor. Diana Reyna, a former New York City Council member, is the running mate of Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi. Ana Maria Archila is seeking the post, alongside New York City Public Advocate and gubernatorial candidate Jumaane Williams.
Hochul and her press office did not have an immediate comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
