New York Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin has been arrested on federal campaign finance charges. Federal prosecutors say when he was a state senator, Benjamin took part in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer. In return, Benjamin was to use his influence to obtain a $50,000 state grant for a non-profit company controlled by the developer.
Last year, that developer was charged with scheming to hide dozes of contributions made to the Benjamin Campaign.
A sealed indictment opened Tuesday accused Benjamin of abusing his authority as a lawmaker and “engaging in a bribery scheme using public funds for his own corrupt purposes.”
Prosecutors also say Benjamin provided false information on the vetting forms he submitted to Governor Kathy Hochul’s team while he was being considered for Lt. Governor.