Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin of New York resigned on Tuesday after being detained on charges connected to a campaign finance fraud probe, according to officials.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Benjamin’s resignation, which took effect immediately.
“While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor,” she said in a statement. “New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them.”
Benjamin surrendered to police and appeared before a federal court in New York City, according to the Justice Department.
“After today’s charges, Brian will resign his duties as Lieutenant Governor and suspend his campaign. He will focus his energies on explaining in court why his actions were laudable — not criminal,” James D. Gatta and William J. Harrington, attorneys for Benjamin, said in a statement Tuesday evening.
“He looks forward to when this case is finished so he can rededicate himself to public service,” they said.
According to the New York Times, federal prosecutors and the FBI have been probing Benjamin’s involvement in an illegal campaign finance scheme.
As part of their investigation, they were also looking into Benjamin’s role in distributing state funds to donors and their initiatives.
The New York City indictment charges that Benjamin received campaign contributions from a Harlem real estate developer in exchange for a $50,000 state grant for the developer’s firm, even though the money was never delivered.
Benjamin received two personal checks for $10,000 from the developer, but the cheques were written in the names of relatives who did not share the developer’s last name, according to the allegations. The developer is alleged to have done this in order to hide any ties to the donations.
A third $5,000 check, written on the developer’s limited liability firm, is also said to have been provided to Benjamin by the developer.
“There has never been a federal case like this in America. Brian supported a $50,000 grant to Friends of Public School Harlem,” his attorneys said. “Every dollar was to buy supplies for public school students in Harlem. There was nothing inappropriate about this grant.”
Bribery, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy to perpetrate those acts were all charged against Benjamin.
“As alleged, Brian Benjamin used his power as a New York state senator to secure a state-funded grant in exchange for contributions to his own political campaigns,” the U.S. attorney for Southern New York, Damian Williams, said in a statement. “By doing so, Benjamin abused his power and effectively used state funds to support his political campaigns.”
Williams said, “public corruption erodes people’s confidence and faith in government” and that his office will always “uphold the rule of law.” he stated during a press conference on Tuesday.
According to city commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber, Benjamin broke the public’s trust by abusing his position of authority.
The alleged plan allegedly took place between 2019 and 2021. A federal indictment alleges that Benjamin attempted to cover up his indiscretions by submitting false information on vetting forms, manipulating campaign contributor records, and deceiving city officials.
As NBC New York reported in November, Benjamin’s fundraiser Gerald Migdol was arrested for tax evasion.
In relation with an alleged campaign fraud conspiracy tied to Benjamin fundraising, Migdol has been charged with wire fraud.
Last year, Lieutenant Governor Benjamin, whom Hochul appointed, did not respond to the claims.
After Migdol’s arrest on Nov. 19, his office provided an explanation of the investigation.
“Neither Lieutenant Governor Benjamin nor his campaign are being accused of any wrongdoing and they are prepared to fully cooperate with authorities,” his office said at the time. “As soon as the campaign discovered that these contributions were improperly sourced, they donated them to the Campaign Finance Board, pursuant to guidance obtained from the CFB.”
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