The development created a political crisis for Hochul seven months after she chose Benjamin as her partner to make a fresh start in an office that was rocked by a scandal following the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo amid allegations of intimidation and sexual harassment. Benjamin, a Democrat and No. 2 politician in the state government, has been accused of taking part in a campaign to get campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamin’s agreement to use his influence as a senator to get $ 50,000. allocation of state funds for a non-profit organization controlled by the developer. Faced with charges of bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records, Benjamin pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in his first appearance in Manhattan federal court in New York. He was released on $ 250,000 bail. The conditions of his release require restriction of his travels and his return to the state capital in Albany is prohibited. He submitted his resignation to Hochul hours later. “I accepted the resignation of Brian Benjamin immediately. As the legal process unfolds, it is clear to both of us that he can no longer serve as vice-governor. “New Yorkers deserve absolute trust in their government and I will continue to work every day to provide for them,” Hotsul said in a statement. Two lawyers representing Benjamin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hotsul ousted Benjamin, then a state lawmaker, in September to serve as second in power when he became governor, taking over Kuomo. Hotsul was Cuomo’s deputy commander. She is now a candidate for governor in this year’s elections and had nominated Benjamin as her candidate. Hotsul did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday when asked who she would choose as her new deputy governor.
