“This is a simple corruption story,” Williams said, adding later, “taxpayers’ money for campaign contributions. Quid pro quo. This for this. This is bribery, clear and simple.” Benjamin has been charged with multiple counts of bribery and rogue conspiracy theories, bribery, rogue fraud and two counts of falsification of records, all of which took place while he was a senator. A source familiar with the matter says that Benjamin was turned over early Tuesday morning. Benjamin pleaded not guilty in federal court in Manhattan and has paid $ 250,000 bail, according to court documents. CNN contacted a spokesman for Benjamin and the office of New York Governor Kathy Hotsul for comment. A spokesman for Benjamin’s campaign told CNN, “Neither Vice President Benjamin nor his campaign has been charged with any wrongdoing and they are prepared to cooperate fully with the authorities.” Economic Campaigns Council, in accordance with instructions received from the CFB. “

The alleged project involved campaign contributions

The indictment alleges that between 2019 and 2021, when Benjamin was a senator, he allegedly participated in a campaign fundraising campaign by an anonymous Harlem-based real estate developer in exchange for a $ 50,000 state grant for a non- for-profit organization. controlled by the developer. The nonprofit donated school supplies and other resources to public school programs and students in Haarlem, the indictment said. “In doing so, Benjamin abused his power as a New York State senator by engaging in a bribery scheme using public funds for his own corrupt purposes,” the indictment said. Williams said that although the $ 50,000 state grant was eventually not delivered, “it will not be a legal obstacle to this indictment.” The indictment alleges that others acting under his direction or on his behalf “engaged in a series of lies and deceptions to cover up his plan” by falsifying alleged campaign sponsorships, misleading municipal regulators and providing false information to control submitted Benjamin while he was under consideration to be appointed as the next Vice Governor of New York. Benjamin served as state senator from June 2017, representing northern Manhattan, until he was appointed by Hotsul. The anonymous real estate developer allegedly made fraudulent contributions to Benjamin’s failed attempt to become the controller of New York by allegedly making donations to the names of people who had not personally funded the contributions or who were reimbursed for the contributions, the indictment states. Prosecutors allege that Benjamin told staff and advisers that some contributions were raised by the developer and that in more than one case, Benjamin met with the developer in person to receive his contributions – and even met on the street to raise funds. a “package” of contributions. The indictment also alleges that Benjamin told the developer that he would assist the real estate mogul in obtaining approval from the community council for a zoning permit for a property he owned, in exchange for a contribution to a political action committee. When the New York State Electoral Council informed Benjamin’s campaign in 2019 that it had to submit forms identifying the owners of LLCs that had contributed to the campaign, including one associated with the anonymous real estate developer, Benjamin allegedly asked a in an email: “What happens if someone refuses to provide this information?” Prosecutors say the campaign ultimately did not provide election officials with information about who owned the developer-related company. Following a report published by The City in 2021 asking questions about donations, prosecutors allege that Benjamin’s campaign for the auditor sent a letter to the Campaign Finance Board stating that he had no reason to question the legitimacy of the contributions. Although the real estate donor is not named in the Benjamin indictment, a Harlem-based developer named Gerald Migdol was arrested and charged in November 2021 with charges such as conspiracy to commit wiretapping, wiretapping and conspiracy theories. plan to falsify and conceal the sources of contributions to the political campaign. Migdol pleaded not guilty to all charges. The indictment of Migdol named an anonymous candidate named “Candidate-1” and claims that Migdol was involved in a plot to hide the sources of contributions made to this candidate’s campaign. On Tuesday, Benjamin was added as a co-accused in the Migdol case. CNN contacted Migdol’s lawyers for comment. Benjamin’s indictment also alleges that while he was being questioned for the position of lieutenant governor, he allegedly falsely claimed in a questionnaire that he had never directly exercised his governmental authority over a donor who directly requested it. Prosecutors allege that Benjamin called the real estate developer two hours after submitting the questionnaire, for the first time in six months. On Tuesday, a company website for Migdol real estate company had another photo of Benjamin under a section called, “Who we support and who supports us.”

Hotsul’s opponents break out in the news

Benjamin was appointed by Hochul after taking over the state’s top position from former governor Andrew Cuomo following his resignation last summer. Hotsul, who has just completed controversial budget negotiations in Albany, will now be audited for the review process that preceded her decision to nominate Benjamin, who finished fourth in the Democrats’s 2021 primary election. – a campaign in which prosecutors say now sought and received illegal contributions. Benjamin is also accused of lying to a background check following Hochul’s decision to make him its top deputy.
Williams would not comment on what, if any, they had contact with Hotsul’s office. “This indictment concerns one person: Brian Benjamin,” Williams said. It is unclear whether Benjamin will step down. Like Hotsul, he is the party’s supportive candidate in the 2022 qualifiers and cannot be removed from the ballot. He is running against two other Democrats, Ana Maria Archila, a longtime progressive leader backed by the Liberal Family Labor Party, and Diana Reyna, a former New York City councilor. Archila, in an email to her supporters on Tuesday, said Benjamin had betrayed the New Yorkers. “Our elected officials must adhere to the highest standards of ethics in order to maintain public confidence. My opponent has violated this agreement,” Archila said. “Albany has been plagued by corruption for too long, with politicians exchanging favors for the money of the rich and powerful.” In a joint statement, Reyna and New York’s spokesman Tom Suozzi, who is challenging Hochul in the Democratic primary, tossed out Benjamin’s arrest as a sign against the new governor.
“Today’s bomb is an indictment of Kathy Hotsul’s lack of experience and poor judgment,” said Swatchi and Reina. “Hochul’s first decision was to choose LG, which she trusted to lead the failed warranty reform effort, negotiating the budget and last week saying she had the most confidence in it despite numerous reports of conduct inquiries. in power. “ The Democratic Party of New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.