
Federal prosecutors have dropped corruption charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin following a key witness’s death.
Key Insights
- The charges against Brian Benjamin were dropped due to the death of key witness Gerald Migdol.
- Prosecutors stated they could no longer prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Benjamin stepped down from his position after surrendering to the charges in 2022.
Corruption Case Dismissed
Federal prosecutors have dropped corruption charges against former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin. The decision comes after the death of Gerald Migdol, a key witness in the case. Migdol, a real estate developer from Harlem, had previously pleaded guilty to bribery charges before his passing in February 2024.
The prosecutors’ decision stems from their inability to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt without Migdol’s testimony. Judge J. Paul Oetken signed an order to close the case, effectively ending the legal proceedings against Benjamin.
Feds drop corruption charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin https://t.co/8FsCt5Lght pic.twitter.com/tEGZBlXxV0
— New York Post (@nypost) January 18, 2025
Allegations and Political Fallout
Brian Benjamin, who served as New York’s 78th Lieutenant Governor and as Harlem’s State Senator, was Governor Kathy Hochul’s first pick for lieutenant governor after Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in 2021. However, Benjamin’s tenure was short-lived as he stepped down from his position after surrendering to the charges in 2022.
The allegations against Benjamin included accusations of funneling a $50,000 state grant to Migdol in exchange for campaign contributions. These charges, which included bribery, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy, caused a political crisis for Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, who had chosen Benjamin as her second-in-command.
Legal Challenges
Prior to Migdol’s death, the case had already faced difficulties. In December 2022, bribery and fraud charges were dismissed, leaving only records falsification charges. Judge Oetken noted that prosecutors failed to provide an explicit example of Benjamin providing a favor for a bribe, a necessary element for the charges.
Benjamin’s lawyers stated that they “always believed this day would come.” With the case now dismissed, Benjamin expressed gratitude to the Southern District of New York for reviewing and dismissing the charges in their entirety.
The dismissal of charges against Brian Benjamin marks a significant moment in New York’s political landscape. It serves as a reminder of the complexities within the legal system and the impact of unforeseen circumstances on high-profile cases.
Sources
- Feds drop corruption charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin
- Bribery charges dropped against former NY Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin after death of key witness
- US ends former New York lieutenant governor’s bribery case after witness dies