Authorities arrested New york city Democratic Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin on Tuesday morning on project finance-related federal charges, two sources acquainted with the issue told NBC News 4. According to ABC News 7, Benjamin surrendered himself to authorities Tuesday morning. The fees are supposedly about a previous project.
“The lieutenant governor, who had been considered a rising political star after he was chosen by Gov. Hochul, faces bribery and other charges,” ABC News 7 added.
He is anticipated to appear in federal court in Manhattan sometime on Tuesday.
NBC News 4 gave even more details concerning his alleged criminal activities:
His arrest comes after reports that Manhattan federal prosecutors and the FBI were investigating whether Benjamin knowingly engaged in a campaign finance fraud scheme. Subpoenas were issued in connection with the investigation, two sources familiar with the subpoenas said at the time.
The investigators also looked into whether Benjamin helped dole out state money to contributors and/or their projects as part of the alleged fraud.
During the vetting procedure for the lieutenant guv appointment in 2021, Benjamin had fallen short to notify Hochul of a subpoena that he had actually obtained from a district lawyer in connection to his aide, Gerry Migdol, WSKG reported:
Benjamin was a state senator when the Manhattan district attorney subpoenaed him last year about an alleged scheme run by a former campaign aide.
The aide, Gerry Migdol, allegedly solicited phony campaign donations so that Benjamin — who was then running for New York City comptroller — could boost his fundraising numbers to receive public matching funds.
Migdol was arrested and charged with soliciting fake donations.
When he appeared together with Hochul for the initial time since March 22, Benjamin had actually just recently been out of the public eye till last Thursday. Benjamin kept he had not done anything incorrect relating to the subpoena, WSKG additionally noted on Monday:
Benjamin told reporters that he failed to tell Hochul of the subpoena when she was vetting him to be her lieutenant governor last August. He said he participated in a background check by the State Police, and thought that was enough.
“The State Police did a thorough investigation, I participated in that,” Benjamin said. “I followed the process as it was supposed to be followed.”
Benjamin has denied any wrongdoing.
WSKG additionally reported that, according to The New York Times, “federal prosecutors are looking at whether Benjamin steered state grants for his district to financially benefit Migdol.”
Recently, Hochul informed press reporters that she supports her second-in-command in spite of the subpoena. Before his apprehension, New York’s Governor insisted he would remain on the ballot for this year’s gubernatorial election
“I have utmost confidence in my lieutenant governor,” Hochul told the media. “He is my running mate.”
H/T Daily Wire
