This past Tuesday, police officials have arrested Brian Benjamin, the Democratic Lieutenant Governor of New York, on federal charges in relation to the finances of his campaign, reports a pair of sources close to the issue to NBC News 4.
As reported by ABC News 7, Benjamin agreed to surrender himself to police officials on Tuesday morning. Reportedly, the charges seem to be in connection with a past campaign.
“The lieutenant governor, who had been considered a rising political star after he was chosen by Gov. Hochul, faces bribery and other charges,” continued ABC News 7.
He is slated to be appearing in federal court in Manhattan at some point on Tuesday.
NBC News 4 gave more information on the subject in regards to his alleged crimes:
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.
Throughout the vetting process used to select the lieutenant governor for the appointment back in 2021, Benjamin did not tell Hochul, or anyone else, of a pending subpoena that he had been slammed with from a district attorney in relation to Gerry Migdol, his aide, 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.
Recently, Benjamin has made sure to stay out of the public eye at least until this past Thursday when he made an official appearance alongside Hochul for the very first time since back in March 22nd. Benjamin has stated multiple times that he has done nothing wrong in regards to the subpoena, and it was also noted by WSKG 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.
It has also been reported by WSKG that, as stated by The New York Times, “federal prosecutors are looking at whether Benjamin steered state grants for his district to financially benefit Migdol.”
Just last week, Hochul stated to reporters that she supports her second-in-command on the subject, subpoena or no. Before his arrest, the governor insisted that he should continue to stay on the ballot for the upcoming election for the governor’s office.
“I have utmost confidence in my lieutenant governor,” claimed Hochul. “He is my running mate.”