Federal Judge Dismisses Bribery and Fraud Charges Against Former Lt. Gov Benjamin

According to an article published on December 5, 2022 in the NYStatePolitics.com by Nick Reisman, “A federal judge on Monday dismissed the bribery and fraud charges against Democratic former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, but kept charges that he falsified business records in place for now. “

Benjamin was appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. Kathy Hochul last year, replacing herself after Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned and she became governor. Benjamin resigned in April after federal prosecuttors charged him with felony corruption. 

Then-Lt. Gov. Benjamin was accused of sending state money to a Harlem-based real estate developer in exchange for campaign contributions while he was a candidate for comptroller New York City, a race Benjamin lost. 

Benjamin denied the allegations of bribery and fraud and mounted a campaign to have the charges against him dismissed.

On Monday, December 5th, according to the article’s author, Judge Paul Oetken agreed with dismissing some of the charges, determining the indictment “fails to allege an explicit quid pro quo, which is an essential element of the bribery and honest services wire fraud charges brought against Benjamin.” 

Judge Oetken did not agree to toss two charges of falsified business records, which will remain.