New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin was arrested on charges related to a campaign finance fraud investigation, two people familiar with the matter told NBC New York.
Highlights
- Brian Benjamin surrendered to authorities and appeared before a federal judge in New York City on Tuesday.
- An indictment alleges that Benjamin was given campaign contributions from a Harlem real estate developer.
- In exchange, Benjamin obtained a $50,000 state grant for the developer’s business, the indictment states.
- Benjamin was charged with bribery, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit those offenses.
- His arrest comes after reports that Manhattan federal prosecutors and the FBI were investigating whether Benjamin knowingly engaged in a campaign finance fraud scheme.
- Benjamin’s fundraiser, Gerald Migdol, was arrested in November in connection with an alleged campaign fraud scheme linked to past Benjamin fundraising, NBC New York reports.