NY Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin Resigns Following Arrest on Campaign Finance Fraud Charges [Updated]

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Brian Benjamin, Lieutenant Governor of New York, speaking at The New York State Democratic Committee 2022 State Nominating Convention at the Sheraton New York Times Square in New York, NY on Thursday, February 17th, 2022. — Brian Benjamin, Lieutenant Governor of New York, speaking at The New York Condition Democratic Committee 2022 Point out Nominating Conference at the Sheraton New York Situations Square in New York, NY on Thursday, February 17th, 2022.

Up to date as of 4/13/2022 at 9:15 a.m. ET

New York Democratic Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin has resigned next his arrest on bribery fees and offenses linked to an alleged marketing campaign finance fraud all through his bid for New York comptroller, claimed NBC New York. Benjamin allegedly obtaining marketing campaign contributions from a true estate developer in exchange for a condition grant for the developer’s business.

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“I have recognized Brian Benjamin’s resignation powerful immediately. Though the authorized process plays out, it is obvious to the two of us that he can’t continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor,” reported Gov. Kathy Hochul in a assertion Tuesday.

In accordance to NBC, Manhattan prosecutors and the FBI were presently on his case, investigating if Benjamin knowingly participated in a campaign finance fraud. They also seemed into no matter if Benjamin aided distribute condition revenue to campaign contributors.

Far more on the circumstance kind NBC Information:

An indictment alleges that Benjamin was presented campaign contributions from a Harlem actual estate developer in trade for Benjamin obtaining a $50,000 condition grant for the developer’s business.

The developer also allegedly gave Benjamin a third examine for $5,000 in the title of a constrained legal responsibility company owned by the developer.

The alleged scheme ran from about 2019 to 2021. Benjamin protected his tracks by falsifying marketing campaign donor sorts, misleading municipal regulators and “providing bogus information and facts in vetting forms” he submitted, the indictment states.

In accordance to the indictment, Benjamin gained fraudulent contributions from the real estate developer in the names of persons who had not individually funded his campaign, for each CNN. Prosecutors allege Benjamin explained to workers some contributions have been collected by the developer and that he individually satisfied with them to acquire the contributions.

His attorneys, James D. Gatta and William Harrington, reported his steps weren’t created out of ill intent. In a assertion, they reported the $50,000 grant was supplied to Mates of Public Faculty Harlem for provides for college students, by means of NBC New York.

The Metropolis released a report final 12 months raising fears about Benjamin’s donations, nonetheless, his marketing campaign knowledgeable the Marketing campaign Finance Board there was no reason to question the legitimacy of the contributions.

Also, the indictment promises Benjamin lied on his questionnaire for lieutenant governor, saying he hardly ever exercised his governing administration authority about a donor he instantly solicited, for each CNN.

Benjamin surrendered to authorities and is envisioned to look in federal Court docket Tuesday.

“After today’s prices, Brian will resign his duties as Lieutenant Governor and suspend his campaign. He will target his energies on outlining in court why his actions had been laudable—not felony,” browse the assertion from his lawyers, by using NBC New York.

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