New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she “immediately accepted Brian Benjamin’s resignation.”
‘Til the trial is going on clear as for of us that he cannot continue to serve as lieutenant governor. New Yorkers Deserve Absolute confidence in their government and I will continue to work every day to deliver for them,” the Democratic governor said. in statement.
Damian Williams, US Attorney for Southern District of New York, condemned Benjamin in news conference early Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s simple story of corruption,” Williams said, adding later: “The taxpayer money for campaign contributions. One good turn deserves another. This for that. This is bribery, plain and simple.”
Benjamin was charged on multiple counts, including conspiracy to bribery and wire fraud, bribery, wire fraud, honest service, and two counts of falsification of records, for alleged conspiracy that took place when he was a state senator.
Source familiar with cause says Benjamin went to the authorities on Tuesday morning. Benjamin pleaded not guilty in Federal Court of Manhattan and out on According to court documents, bail is $250,000.
CNN reached out representative for Benjamin and Hochul office for comment. Benjamin campaign a spokesman previously told CNN: “Neither Lieutenant Governor Benjamin nor his campaign accused of of any wrongdoing, and they are ready to fully cooperate with authorities. As soon as campaign finding that these donations were improperly received, they donated them to the Campaign Finance Board in accordance with the instructions received from the CFB.”
Suggested scheme campaign contributions
The indictment states that from approximately 2019 to 2021, when Benjamin was a state senator, he allegedly took part in diagram to get campaign contribution from an unnamed Harlem real property developer in exchange for government grant of $50,000 for non-commercial organization controlled developer. non-profit organization donated school supplies and other resources public school programs and students in Harlem, the indictment says.
“In doing so, Benjamin abused his authority as a New York state senator by enlisting in bribery scheme using public funds for for mercenary purposes,” the indictment says.
Williams said that while the $50,000 state grant was ultimately not granted, it “would not be a legal bar to this indictment.”
The indictment alleges that others who acted on him direction or on on his behalf “engaged in a series of lies and deceit to hide up his scheme”, allegedly falsifying campaign donor forms that mislead municipal regulators and provide false information in reviews of forms that Benjamin submitted while his appointment was being considered next lieutenant governor of New York. Benjamin served as state senator from June 2017, representing northern Manhattan, until he was appointed by Hochul.
Nameless real property developer supposedly made fraudulent contributions to Benjamin’s fund failed trying to become controller of New York, allegedly making donations in names of people who did not personally fund the contributions or who were reimbursed for contributions, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors allege that Benjamin told staff and advisers that certain fees were collected by the developer and that on more how one case, Benjamin personally met with in developer receive his dues — even meeting on in street collect”bundle” of contributions.
accusation also claims that Benjamin said developer he would help in real real estate mogul get community board OK for permission to change zoning for a property he owned in exchange for contribution to the political action committee.
When the New York State Council of Benjamin was notified of the election campaign in 2019 that he had to submit forms identifying the owners of LLCs that contributed to the campaign, including one associated with the unnamed real property developerBenjamin allegedly asked an employee in email “What happens if someone refuses to provide this information? The prosecutor’s office claims that campaign ultimately did not provide information on who owned a company associated with in developer to election officials.
Accusation of Benjamin also claims that while it was under consideration for lieutenant governor post he allegedly falsely claimed on profile he never had directly exercised his public authority over the donor whom he directly asked. Prosecutors allege that Benjamin called real property developer two hours after he sent the questionnaire, for in first time in six months.
Khokhula opponents surprise attack on news
Williams would not comment on that, if any, contacted investigators with Khokhula office.
“This accusation concerns one Person: Brian Benjamin,” Williams said.
It is not yet clear if Benjamin will step down from his post. post. Like Hochul, he’s a party-approved candidate in primary elections of 2022 and cannot be removed from the newsletter.
BUT senior Democratic Party of New York State official told CNN on tuesday that “would best if (then party) found another candidate, if at all possible for (Benjamin) be removed off the line” and what party management plans to “investigate all options on that.”
“This is complicated process. There are not many ways, but there are several ways to do it. So we’re looking at it.” official said. “And if we can, then obviously there is a committee on vacancies and we will accept the recommendation of governor for who we should replace it with with if at all possible.”
official also defended Hochul against criticism of her verification process, referring prosecutors”The claim that Benjamin lied on his official data validation.
“U.S. Attorney made clear in his accusation today that one of things were issue was Brian Benjamin’s flaw of honesty in verification process, official said. “I do not know how you blame the governor or her checking team, frankly, for getting misinformation. She doesn’t access ongoing investigations in US Attorney office.”
Benjamin runs against two other Democrats, Ana Maria Arcila, a longtime progressive leader backed by the liberal Working Families Party, and Diana Reina, former member of New York City Council.
archila, in letter to supporters on On Tuesday, he said that Benjamin betrayed the people of New York.
“Our elected officials should to hold on highest ethical standard save public trust. My opponent violated this treaty,” said Archila. Albany suffers from corruption. for too long, with politicians trading patronage for in money of rich and powerful.”
In a joint statement by Reina and New York Rep. Tom Suozzi, who challenges Hohul in Democratic gubernatorial primary who dropped Benjamin arrest like a sign against in new governor.
“Today’s bomb is an indictment. on Absence of Kathy Hochul of experience and shortsightedness,” said Suozzi and Reina. first decision It was pick her LG, who she trusted with leading her failed pledge reform efforts, negotiating budget and last week said she had extreme faith in him, despite numerous reports of investigation into his behavior in office.”
The New York State Democratic Party did not immediately respond to a request. for comment.
This title and story Was updated with additional events on Tuesday.
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