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New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin has resigned after being arrested and charged in an alleged federal bribery conspiracy.
“I have accepted Brian Benjamin’s resignation effective immediately. While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor. New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.
A report from The New York Times, which cites “people with knowledge of the matter,” says Benjamin surrendered early Tuesday morning.
The indictment says that Benjamin used his abilities as a state senator to give $50,000 in state funds to a real estate developer in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. According to the indictment, this allegedly occurred between 2019 and 2021.
“In so doing, 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 says. In addition, Benjamin was accused of lying to cover it up.
Benjamin “engaged in a series of lies and deceptions to cover up his scheme, including by falsifying campaign donor forms, misleading municipal regulators, and providing false information in vetting forms Benjamin submitted while under consideration to be appointed the next Lieutenant Governor of New York State,” the indictment says.
Here are the charges he’s facing:
- bribery
- honest services wire fraud
- bribery and honest services wire fraud conspiracy
- falsification of records (two counts)
Benjamin served as a New York State senator in northern Manhattan from June 2017 through September 2021. He was appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2021, shortly after losing a primary bid for New York City comptroller.
