New York Lieutenant Gov. Brian Benjamin was arrested Tuesday for bribery and other offenses in an alleged campaign finance “scheme”.
According to Fox News, Benjamin was part of a “‘scheme’ to get campaign contributions in exchange for a $50,000 state grant”.
In the indictment, Benjamin was accused of attempting to direct state funds to a real estate investor in exchange for illegal campaign contributions for his 2021 campaign for New York City comptroller.
After an investigation by the F.B.I., U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and the city’s Department of Investigation, the indictment charged “that Mr. Benjamin subsequently ‘engaged in a series of lies and deceptions to cover up the scheme,'” reported the New York Times.
The lies include “falsifying campaign donation forms, misleading New York City authorities and giving false information as part of a background check to become lieutenant governor last year,” according to the Times.
Benjamin, who surrendered to federal authorities Tuesday morning, was reportedly questioned earlier this year amid a probe into whether he was involved in funneling contributions to his failed campaign.
He will most likely face pressure to resign from his position, but may remain on the ballot in June. “His name can only be removed at this point if he were to move out of the state, die or seek another office,” said the Times.
Law enforcement officials were scheduled to announce the charges during a noon news conference, while Mr. Benjamin was expected to appear in United States District Court in Manhattan this afternoon.