Governor

Democrat Lt. Governor Arrested Over Dirty CORRUPTION

New York is now rivaling Illinois for being home to the most political corruption ever.  Authorities arrested New York Democratic Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin early Tuesday morning on campaign finance-related federal charges, two resources acquainted with the issue told NBC News 4.

According to ABC News 7, Benjamin surrendered himself to authorities Tuesday early morning. The charges are apparently in connection with a previous campaign.

“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 expected to appear in government court in Manhattan sometime on Tuesday. NBC News 4 gave even more details regarding his claimed 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.

Throughout the vetting procedure for the lieutenant governor appointment in 2021, Benjamin had neglected to alert Hochul of a subpoena that he had actually received from an area attorney in relation to his assistant, 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 along with Hochul for the first time since March 22, Benjamin had recently been out of the public eye till last Thursday. Benjamin maintained he had done nothing wrong concerning the subpoena, WSKG also 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 told reporters that she supports her second-in-command in spite of the subpoena. Prior to his arrest, New York’s governor urged he would certainly remain on the tally for this year’s gubernatorial political election.

“I have utmost confidence in my lieutenant governor,” Hochul told the media. “He is my running mate.”

So for those keeping score: New York had a corrupt Governor resign, he was replaced with his Lt. Governor, and her role was backfilled by another allegedly corrupt Democrat… Ooof.

H/T Daily Wire

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