Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Brian Benjamin


Brian Benjamin (born December 9, 1976) is an American politician and former investment banker who briefly served as the 65th from September 2021 to April 2022. Born in to a immigrant mother, Benjamin earned a bachelor's degree in public policy from and an MBA from before working in at firms including . Elected to the in 2016 representing 's 31st district, he focused on and initiatives during his tenure from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, after an unsuccessful primary campaign for , Governor selected him as her , positioning him as the state's first . His tenure ended abruptly when he resigned following a federal on charges of , , and falsification of records, alleging he traded official acts for laundered campaign donations via straw donors during his comptroller bid; he pleaded not guilty. Although counts were initially dismissed and later reinstated, federal prosecutors dropped all remaining charges in January 2025 after the death of a key cooperating witness undermined the case. Post-resignation, Benjamin has resumed private-sector roles, including as president of the healthcare firm CINQCARE.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Childhood

Brian Benjamin was born in Harlem Hospital on 135th Street and in to parents of origin. His mother, Yvonne, immigrated from seeking economic opportunities, arriving with limited resources but a commitment to her family's future. His father, Alvin, originated from and worked as a , including driving Benjamin to during his childhood. Though neither parent held a , they instilled values of hard work and in their children, operating within New York City's immigrant communities despite modest means. Benjamin's early years were spent in before his family moved to in at age five, where he grew up in a middle-class environment amid the city's developments. His upbringing later extended to , exposing him to the socioeconomic diversity of urban , including challenges faced by working-class immigrant families. This period shaped his perspective on opportunity and resilience, as he has recounted his parents' tireless efforts to provide access to better prospects.

Academic Pursuits and Early Influences

Benjamin was born on December 9, 1976, at Hospital to parents who immigrated from the , instilling in him an early emphasis on education as a pathway to opportunity amid the challenges of urban life. Growing up in this environment, he witnessed the impact of positive role models on community youth, a value that shaped his later initiatives but stemmed from personal observations of 's social dynamics. After completing high school in , Benjamin pursued higher education at , earning a degree in in 1998. His choice of public policy reflected an early interest in addressing systemic issues like housing and economic development in underserved communities, influenced by his Harlem upbringing and parental aspirations for upward mobility through rigorous academics. Following , Benjamin enrolled at , obtaining a . There, he connected with peers like Derek Aframe, a alumnus, who later recalled Benjamin's earnestness and sincerity in discussions on leadership and , traits that aligned with his pre-existing drive to apply business acumen to policy challenges. This academic progression from policy-focused undergraduate studies to MBA-level business training equipped him with analytical tools for later ventures in and , underscoring influences from both familial expectations and institutional environments prioritizing practical impact.

Pre-Political Career

Business Foundations

Following his graduation from with a in , Brian Benjamin entered the finance sector at , where he worked for three years in . There, he focused on financial management, advising both nonprofit and for-profit organizations on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raises to address their funding needs. In 2010, Benjamin joined Genesis Companies, LLC, as a managing partner; the firm had been founded in 2004 by Karim Hutson, a classmate from Harvard Business School, and operates as a certified minority- and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) specializing in affordable housing development and preservation, primarily in Harlem. The company targets multifamily projects to combat New York City's housing shortages, overseeing developments that include renovations of NYCHA properties and new constructions aimed at low- and moderate-income residents. During his tenure at Genesis, which lasted until his entry into elective office in , Benjamin contributed to the firm's expansion, helping to develop and manage over 1,000 units of across . This experience in complemented his financial background, positioning him to navigate public-private partnerships and regulatory approvals for housing initiatives.

Professional Development and Networks

Following his MBA from , Benjamin spent three years in at , where he focused on financial management and advised both nonprofit and for-profit organizations on capital raising and strategic financing. This role provided foundational experience in deal structuring and institutional finance, leveraging his academic background in public policy from to bridge community-oriented projects with market-driven solutions. In 2010, Benjamin joined Companies as a managing partner, a Black-owned and construction firm founded by one of his classmates, emphasizing and urban revitalization in and similar communities. Over seven years, he contributed to projects that expanded the firm's portfolio to approximately 1,000 units, targeting minority-owned businesses and in underserved areas. His work at involved consulting agreements and executive oversight, including a reported $60,000 annual arrangement tied to properties, which drew scrutiny for potential conflicts given the firm's ownership of local rental buildings with maintenance issues. Benjamin's professional networks originated from elite educational institutions and finance circles, including alumni ties from and Harvard, where he cultivated relationships with peers entering and . These connections extended to colleagues and partners, facilitating access to capital markets and development opportunities in New York City's uptown sector. Additionally, his early involvement in Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, as a member of the National Finance Committee and founder of the Harlem4Obama grassroots group—which raised $250,000—integrated business contacts with political donors focused on community advocacy. This blend of expertise and Harlem-based entrepreneurship positioned him as a connector between financial institutions and minority-led initiatives, though some critics noted the overlap between his private consulting roles and emerging public interests.

Political Ascendancy

Entry into Public Office

Brian Benjamin entered public office through a special election for the District 30, held on May 23, 2017. The district covers portions of central Harlem, , and the in . As a with a background in and , Benjamin secured the party's nomination via a county committee meeting earlier that year. In the general election, Benjamin faced Republican Dawn Simmons and prevailed decisively, capturing over 90 percent of the vote in the overwhelmingly Democratic constituency. His campaign benefited from endorsements by multiple labor unions, including 1199 SEIU and the Hotel Trades Council, as well as support from local elected officials, positioning him as the clear frontrunner in a low-turnout contest. This victory marked Benjamin's first foray into elected office, transitioning him from private sector roles to legislative service.

New York State Senate Service

Brian Benjamin was elected to the in a special election on May 23, 2017, to fill the vacancy in District 30 created by the resignation of the previous incumbent, representing , , and the of . He secured over 90 percent of the vote against minimal opposition, reflecting strong Democratic support in the heavily partisan district. Benjamin took office on June 5, 2017, and served until September 9, 2021, when he resigned to assume the role of . During his tenure, he won re-election in the 2018 and again in 2020, defeating challenger Oz Sultan with 115,397 votes to secure another four-year term. In his initial term, Benjamin served as ranking member of the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions, advocating for protections of public employee pensions amid fiscal pressures. By 2021, he had advanced to senior assistant majority leader and chaired the Committee on and , influencing allocations for , , and initiatives. His committee work emphasized oversight of state expenditures, including support for minority- and women-owned enterprises (MWBEs) and efforts to combat the through targeted funding. Benjamin sponsored several bills advancing , including the Act (S.1343C/A.470), a reform measure aimed at reducing reincarceration for technical violations by limiting and emphasizing over punishment; the legislation passed both chambers in 2021. He also authored S.3590, signed into law in June 2020, which prohibited police use of chokeholds except in life-threatening situations, responding to national debates on policing tactics following high-profile incidents. Additionally, Benjamin pushed for divestment of New York's public pension funds from private prisons through S.6747, contributing to DiNapoli's subsequent policy shift away from such investments. On housing issues, Benjamin focused on tenant protections in gentrifying areas like , sponsoring measures to restrict drastic rent increases on stabilized units and building on prior community campaigns against rebranding neighborhoods as "SoHa" to preserve affordability. His legislative record prioritized empirical approaches to reduction and fiscal accountability, though some reforms faced criticism for potentially straining state resources without corresponding evaluations of long-term efficacy.

2021 Electoral Efforts

New York City Comptroller Campaign

State Senator Brian Benjamin formally launched his Democratic primary campaign for New York City Comptroller on October 15, 2020, emphasizing his background in finance and real estate development as qualifications to oversee the city's $90 billion annual budget. He positioned the role as an opportunity to apply private-sector expertise to government auditing, promising to prioritize fiscal accountability amid post-pandemic recovery challenges. Benjamin's platform focused on expanding through comptroller oversight of city contracts, auditing the Department for efficiency and equity, and enhancing educational funding . He participated in candidate forums, including a February 2021 among Democratic contenders, where he advocated for redefining the comptroller's office to address systemic inequalities in public spending. The Citizens Union recommended him over rivals, citing his legislative record on economic justice and business acumen as assets for independent oversight. On May 11, 2021, Governor selected Benjamin as her for in the 2022 election, but he remained in the comptroller race. In the June 22, 2021, Democratic primary—featuring ten candidates and using ranked-choice voting—Benjamin garnered limited first-round support and was eliminated early, as votes redistributed to frontrunners like City Council Member , who ultimately prevailed with 340,944 votes in the final round. His campaign relied on City's public program to amplify small donations, raising concerns in subsequent federal probes about donor practices, though no charges related to the comptroller bid were filed at the time.

Path to Lieutenant Governorship

Following his fourth-place finish in the Democratic primary for on June 22, 2021, State Senator Brian Benjamin suspended his campaign and was selected by Governor as her running mate for on August 25, 2021. The choice came shortly after Hochul assumed the governorship on August 24, 2021, following Andrew Cuomo's resignation amid allegations, positioning Benjamin for the 2022 ticket to fill the vacant . Hochul announced the selection publicly on August 26, 2021, during an event in Benjamin's district, emphasizing their prior collaboration as and on initiatives including response, support for minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs), and voting rights reforms. She described Benjamin as a key collaborator capable of advancing her agenda for a "safer, healthier, fairer" , highlighting his roles as chair of the Revenue and Budget Committee and senior assistant . The selection aimed to strengthen Hochul's appeal in , particularly among Black voters in voter-rich areas like , by pairing her upstate background with Benjamin's representation of a predominantly Democratic district since 2017. Benjamin, who had focused his Senate tenure on and —securing over 1,000 units in his district—aligned with Hochul's priorities, though the rapid post-primary pivot drew scrutiny over vetting processes that later proved incomplete.

Tenure as Lieutenant Governor

Appointment and Initial Responsibilities

Following the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo on August 24, 2021, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul ascended to the governorship, creating a vacancy in the lieutenant governorship under Article IV, Section 6 of the New York State Constitution, which empowers the governor to nominate a replacement subject to Senate confirmation. Hochul selected State Senator Brian Benjamin, a Democrat representing Harlem and parts of Manhattan, announcing the nomination publicly on August 26, 2021, after reports of the decision emerged the prior day. The confirmed Benjamin's nomination on September 9, 2021, in a 42-19 vote largely along party lines, with Democrats holding a slim majority; he was sworn in later that day at the State Capitol in by Hochul. As New York's 57th , Benjamin assumed the constitutionally mandated duties of presiding over the as its president, with authority limited to casting tie-breaking votes, and serving as first in line of succession to the in cases of vacancy, death, , or disability of the . He also became a member of the State Court for the Trial of and certain other boards, though the role's scope often expands based on gubernatorial delegation. In his initial months, Benjamin focused on supporting Hochul's administration amid ongoing recovery efforts, leveraging his prior experience in and minority-owned business initiatives; the announcement highlighted their collaboration on response and aiding minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs). He cast no immediate tie-breaking votes but participated in legislative sessions and public engagements aligned with the governor's priorities, including workforce development and regional economic projects.

Policy Engagements and Public Role

As , Brian Benjamin was tasked by with advancing economic opportunity initiatives, particularly focusing on recovery and minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). He emphasized support for post-COVID economic revitalization, including $1 billion allocated for innovative es and tax credits to offset pandemic-related expenses. Benjamin also advocated for improvements to the MWBE to enhance access to state contracts for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Benjamin engaged publicly on housing policy, leading a task force addressing issues at the (NYCHA) and promoting equitable access to . He supported the governor's five-year $24 billion plan and accelerated distribution of $2.7 billion in emergency rental assistance, noting that only $300 million had been disbursed by early October 2021. In public appearances, such as walking Eighth Avenue in with Hochul, he highlighted resilience amid housing and economic challenges. In his public role, Benjamin positioned himself as an "equity czar," prioritizing diversity in appointments, including increased representation of , , Asian, and officials. He organized meetings with elected officials of Latin to discuss administrative roles and traveled statewide—to areas like Greene County, Ulster County, Seneca Falls, and —to address local concerns such as access and equity. Benjamin also promoted efforts aligned with Hochul's agenda and supported clean energy transitions while ensuring energy supply stability. His engagements extended to broader , including endorsements of investments totaling $32.8 billion in the proposed 2023 state budget and extensions of full table gaming licenses to boost regional economies. Benjamin participated in events with business councils, such as the Business Council of Westchester, to foster collaboration on these priorities. These activities reflected his pre-appointment legislative focus on opioids and MWBEs, which aligned with Hochul's selection rationale.

Corruption Scandal and Resignation

Federal Indictment Specifics

On April 11, 2022, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York indicted Brian Benjamin on five counts: conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery and honest services wire fraud (Count One), federal programs bribery under 18 U.S.C. § 666 (Count Two), honest services wire fraud (Count Three), and two counts of falsification of records (Counts Four and Five). The indictment alleged that the schemes occurred primarily between 2019 and 2021, when Benjamin served as a New York State Senator representing Harlem, prior to his elevation to Lieutenant Governor. The core bribery allegations centered on Benjamin's use of his senatorial influence to direct funds to a controlled by a cooperating , identified in court documents as CC-1 (later publicly named as Gerald Migdol, a Harlem-based developer who operated homeless shelters). In exchange for approximately $50,000 in grants awarded to CC-1's —earmarked for youth programs but allegedly benefiting CC-1's interests—CC-1 arranged and disguised over $40,000 in contributions to Benjamin's reelection and campaigns. These contributions included $16,000 in straw donations funneled through employees of CC-1's company to evade contribution limits, and $24,000 paid directly to a vendor controlled by Benjamin's then-girlfriend, who served as a purported but performed little to no legitimate work. Benjamin allegedly pressured subordinates in the to approve the grants despite internal concerns about CC-1's eligibility and prior grant mismanagement, including by submitting falsified application materials that omitted CC-1's control over the nonprofit. The falsification counts stemmed from Benjamin's submission of deceptive disclosures during his 2021 vetting for , where he omitted details of the grants to CC-1's organization and misrepresented campaign expenditures to the New York State Board of Elections. Prosecutors contended these actions constituted a , with Benjamin explicitly linking the grants to CC-1's fundraising efforts in recorded conversations and emails.

Resignation and Political Fallout

Benjamin resigned as on April 12, 2022, effective immediately, mere hours after federal prosecutors in unsealed a five-count charging him with , wire fraud, and falsification of records related to a scheme. The resignation came amid allegations that, while serving in the State Senate, he had steered $50,000 in state grants to a favored developer in exchange for laundered contributions and efforts to influence a union endorsement. He also suspended his reelection , which had been positioned alongside Kathy Hochul's on the Democratic primary ballot scheduled for June 28, 2022. The abrupt departure intensified scrutiny on Hochul's administration, particularly her vetting process for selecting Benjamin as her running mate in August 2021, which overlooked a subpoena issued to his campaign and other red flags identified in a preliminary background check. Hochul described the situation as "very unfortunate" but expressed optimism that it would allow focus on governance priorities, while her longtime chief of staff, Melvina Brooks, faced internal repercussions for her role in the selection. Legally, New York law permitted Hochul to nominate a replacement subject to State Senate confirmation, but politically, it disrupted the joint ticket dynamic, forcing her to campaign without an official lieutenant governor partner and navigate a compressed timeline for a new pick ahead of the primary. Broader political repercussions included heightened voter frustration with Democratic elected officials amid serial scandals, as voiced by figures like Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who noted public disillusionment with wrongdoing in office. The vacancy opened opportunities for challengers in the lieutenant governor primary, notably benefiting progressive activist Ana María Archila by clearing a potentially stronger incumbent contender. Republicans leveraged the episode to criticize Democratic governance in , portraying it as emblematic of entrenched , though no immediate policy disruptions occurred in the due to the largely ceremonial nature of the lieutenant governorship. Hochul ultimately selected , her former onetime congressman, as replacement, who was confirmed by the on May 10, 2022.

Legal Proceedings

Defense Arguments and Court Challenges

Benjamin's legal team, led by attorneys including Barry Berke, argued in a motion filed in August 2022 that the federal indictment failed to establish an explicit quid pro quo required under Supreme Court precedents such as McDonnell v. United States (2016), asserting that the alleged arrangement—securing a $50,000 state grant for a real estate developer's nonprofit in exchange for campaign contributions—constituted legitimate political fundraising rather than bribery. They contended that the prosecution did not allege any explicit promise by Benjamin to perform specific official acts in direct exchange for the funds, emphasizing that routine constituent services and grant allocations do not inherently corrupt the political process absent a clear agreement tying contributions to discretionary decisions. U.S. District Judge Paul Oetken granted the motion to dismiss the , , and counts in December 2022, ruling that the lacked specificity on an "explicit promise or agreement" linking the contributions to Benjamin's exercise of official influence, thereby preserving the between permissible activity and criminal as delineated in federal law. The remaining charges of falsification of records and unlawful labormanagement contributions proceeded, but the defense maintained that these too stemmed from overreach in interpreting standard political practices. Federal prosecutors appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which in March 2024 reversed Oetken's dismissal, holding that the sufficiently pled a by alleging Benjamin's intent to obtain campaign funds in exchange for directing the grant, even without verbatim explicitness, as long as the exchange corrupted official duties. Benjamin's counsel challenged this by petitioning for rehearing , arguing it blurred critical distinctions between ethical and , potentially criminalizing common legislative interactions. In August 2024, the defense escalated to the U.S. Supreme Court via a petition for certiorari, seeking review to clarify federal bribery standards under 18 U.S.C. § 666, contending that the Second Circuit's ruling risked eroding protections for political speech and constituent services by allowing inferences of quid pro quo without concrete evidence of corrupt intent. The Court denied the petition on December 16, 2024, allowing the core charges to advance toward trial, though the defense persisted in highlighting evidentiary weaknesses, including reliance on a deceased key witness.

Case Dismissal and Implications

On January 17, 2025, prosecutors in the Southern District of moved to dismiss all remaining charges against Brian Benjamin, including falsification of records, after the death of cooperating witness Gerald Migdol, a developer central to the allegations. Migdol, who had pleaded guilty to related charges in 2021 and agreed to testify against Benjamin, died in 2024, depriving the government of its primary evidence linking Benjamin to an alleged involving a $50,000 state grant to Migdol's nonprofit in exchange for $45,000 in campaign contributions during Benjamin's 2021 bid. U.S. District Judge Paul Oetken approved the dismissal, ending a case that had originated with a on April 12, 2022, for , honest services wire fraud, , and falsifying records. The dismissal followed a protracted legal battle marked by partial reversals. In December 2022, Oetken dismissed the bribery and fraud counts, ruling that prosecutors failed to allege a clear under precedents like (2016), which narrowed federal bribery statutes to require proof of an explicit exchange rather than routine political favors. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated those charges in March 2024, finding the indictment sufficiently pleaded an agreement for official acts, but the U.S. denied Benjamin's petition on December 16, 2024, paving the way for trial before Migdol's death prompted the government's voluntary dismissal under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 48(a). This outcome did not constitute an or vindication on the merits but reflected evidentiary insufficiency absent the witness, as prosecutors cited inability to proceed without his testimony. The dismissal carried immediate professional implications for Benjamin, clearing legal barriers to his reentry into public or private roles after over two years of restrictions, including travel limits and scrutiny from his April 2022 and subsequent as . By February 2025, Benjamin secured in the financial sector, signaling restored viability despite the scandal's , though he publicly maintained innocence without seeking a or further litigating the charges' substance. , it underscored vulnerabilities in Democratic circles, where Benjamin's rapid 2021 appointment by Governor amplified fallout from the probe, contributing to her 2022 reelection challenges amid perceptions of lax vetting in Albany's environment. Legally, the case highlighted ongoing tensions in federal corruption prosecutions post-McDonnell, where circuit splits persist on what constitutes an "official act" versus permissible , though the witness-death resolution avoided a definitive ruling and exposed reliance on cooperating defendants in white-collar schemes. No civil forfeiture or restitution followed, leaving unrecovered aspects of the alleged $65,000 in tainted contributions funneled through straw donors, per the original .

Post-Resignation Trajectory

Professional Reentry

Following his resignation as on April 12, 2022, Benjamin initially focused on family responsibilities, describing himself as a while engaging in limited business consulting activities. In a January 2023 interview, he emphasized spending most of his time with his children, avoiding public engagements amid ongoing legal proceedings. This period of relative seclusion extended until the federal corruption charges against him were dropped on January 17, 2025, following the death of a key witness, which prosecutors cited as undermining their case. Benjamin's formal professional reentry occurred in February 2025, when he assumed the role of for the Northeast Region at CinqCare, a -based healthcare company specializing in value-based care models for underserved populations, particularly communities of color. Prior to this full-time position, he had provided consulting services to the organization, leveraging his background in , development, and . In this capacity, Benjamin focuses on expanding CinqCare's initiatives to improve health outcomes in urban areas, with a stated emphasis on combating the crisis affecting Black and minority communities. He announced the appointment on February 25, 2025, via , stating, "CINQCARE delivers health and care solutions designed to help people live their healthiest lives," and expressing intent to contribute to socially purposeful . While Benjamin has indicated openness to future opportunities in public office, his current role aligns with prior professional experience in banking and , marking a shift toward private-sector efforts rather than immediate political involvement. This transition follows a low-profile phase post-indictment, during which he avoided electoral bids, including declining to appear on the Democratic primary ballot for in June 2022.

Public Statements and Future Prospects

Following the dismissal of federal charges against him on January 17, 2025, due to the death of key cooperating witness Gerald Migdol and a subsequent review of evidence, Benjamin broke his public silence in a January 23, 2025, interview with , his first television appearance since the case's developments. He described an overwhelming emotional response to the prosecutors' decision, stating, “I just started crying. It was such an emotion,” and reiterated his denial of the bribery allegations, asserting, “It’s just false, I gave the $50,000 to the nonprofit because it was a great nonprofit in the community.” Benjamin expressed gratitude toward the new leadership at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of , noting, “I was so grateful to the present leadership... because, honestly, they could have dragged this out.” In contemporaneous comments to , Benjamin voiced initial “enormous anger” over the but reflected on gaining perspective, drawing parallels to the experiences of other public figures like Member Yusef Salaam. He criticized a prior by former U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on corruption as “inappropriate” and indicative of unintentional bias in the prosecution. Regarding future prospects, Benjamin affirmed openness to a political return, stating, “I would most certainly run for office again,” though he emphasized being “in no rush to do so” and ruled out New York City's 2025 electoral cycle. Instead, he has pivoted to private-sector roles, including prior business consulting and, as of February 2025, serving as President for the Northeast Region at CinqCare, a firm targeting improved outcomes for communities of color, with a focus on urban crises. This position follows his consultation work with the company and aligns with his expressed interest in entrepreneurial ventures carrying a “social purpose,” amid speculation about Governor Kathy Hochul's search for a new .

Controversies and Assessments

Detailed Examination of Allegations

Federal prosecutors alleged that Brian Benjamin, while serving as a New York State Senator from 2017 to 2021, engaged in a bribery scheme by leveraging his official position to award state grants to organizations affiliated with real estate developer Gerald Migdol in exchange for Migdol arranging straw-donor campaign contributions totaling approximately $45,000 to Benjamin's political campaigns. The core of the charges under 18 U.S.C. § 666 (federal programs bribery) and honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343) centered on a 2019 transaction where Benjamin facilitated a $50,000 grant from the Empire State Development Corporation to a nonprofit entity controlled by Migdol, ostensibly for educational programming at a Harlem property owned by Migdol. Prosecutors claimed this grant, approved on June 19, 2019, followed Migdol's request for assistance and Benjamin's indication of available discretionary funds, with Benjamin sending Migdol a screenshot of the approving resolution via text message as purported confirmation of his influence. The alleged was evidenced by a timeline of communications and financial flows: In March 2019, Benjamin solicited contributions from ; by May 30, 2019, he informed of $50,000 in accessible funding; and on July 8, 2019—shortly after grant approval—Migdol arranged $25,000 in donations to Benjamin's state reelection campaign via intermediaries to circumvent contribution limits. Additional contributions, totaling around $20,000, were funneled to Benjamin's 2021 New York City campaign between October 2019 and January 2021, coinciding with further grant pursuits, including a separate $125,000 to another Migdol-affiliated entity for job training. Prosecutors cited Benjamin's post-grant reminders to Migdol about the funding and requests for more support as indicative of corrupt intent, arguing these actions deprived New Yorkers of Benjamin's honest services. A secondary allegation involved falsification of records, where Benjamin and associates allegedly submitted fraudulent donor certifications to the New York State Board of Elections, misrepresenting the true sources of contributions to evade disclosure rules. This included reimbursing straw donors without proper documentation, with checks traced to Migdol's associates. The case relied heavily on Migdol as a cooperating witness, who had pleaded guilty to related bribery and fraud charges, providing testimony, emails, and texts purportedly demonstrating the exchange; however, no explicit written agreement for the quid pro quo was publicly detailed in the indictment, with prosecutors inferring intent from the sequence and context of events. Critics of the prosecution noted that routine constituent services, such as grant advocacy, are standard legislative duties, and campaign contributions from interested parties do not inherently constitute bribery absent proof of non-routine official acts conditioned explicitly on donations.

Achievements Versus Criticisms

As a New York State Senator representing District 30 from June 2017 to September 2021, Benjamin advanced criminal justice reforms, including co-sponsorship of the Less is More Act (S.414), signed into law on September 17, 2021, which limited reincarceration for technical parole violations and aimed to reduce New York's prison population for non-criminal offenses. In 2018, he led efforts for the divestment of state public pension funds from private prisons, aligning with broader pushes against for-profit incarceration. He also sponsored S.1343C in 2019, amending executive and penal laws to reform community supervision revocation, though its passage details reflect ongoing debates on balancing recidivism prevention with rehabilitation. On housing, Benjamin contributed to the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act, which strengthened eviction protections and preserved affordability in rent-regulated units across . Preceding his Senate term, he developed over 1,000 units of sustainable in through private-sector initiatives. Community efforts included launching a mentoring program at Wadleigh High School in 2013, which provided guidance to Harlem students amid high dropout risks. Critics, however, highlighted ethical irregularities in Benjamin's handling of public and funds as senator and during his 2021 New York City bid. A Times Union analysis revealed he claimed $2,100 in state travel reimbursements for trips, such as to , while simultaneously using accounts for similar expenses, prompting a state Board of Elections probe and his repayment of $3,500 in disputed gas costs by early 2022. His accepted contributions tied to donor Gerald Migdol, indicted in November 2021 for fraud schemes including straw donations from proxies like a , leading Benjamin to refund at least a dozen such gifts. Additionally, records showed $6,693 spent on a 2018 event marketed as community outreach but coinciding with his wedding reception, part of broader repayments totaling nearly $26,000 for flagged expenditures. These incidents fueled assessments of lax oversight in Benjamin's operations, contrasting his policy wins; supporters attributed them to administrative errors in a high-pressure political environment, while detractors cited patterns of blurring , , and resource lines, as reported in investigative outlets. His abbreviated lieutenant governorship (September 2021–April 2022) yielded few distinct achievements, overshadowed by these prior issues and limited by the role's ceremonial scope, though he endorsed initiatives for minority- and women-owned businesses.

Systemic Context in New York Politics

New York state politics, particularly in , has been characterized by a persistent culture of enabled by structural factors such as one-party dominance, weak regulations, and an insular legislative environment that discourages and . The Democratic Party's in the since 2018 has reduced partisan checks, while the absence of term limits for legislators fosters entrenched power networks, allowing influence peddling to thrive through practices like arrangements where donors receive favorable state actions in exchange for contributions. This system has led to consistently ranking among the most corrupt states, with federal prosecutors handling the majority of cases due to state-level reluctance or inability to enforce laws effectively. Campaign finance loopholes exacerbate these issues, permitting large donations from individuals and entities with business before the state, often funneled through intermediaries like LLCs or donors, which blurs lines between legitimate fundraising and . Historical precedents include the 2010 pay-to-play scandal involving former , who pleaded guilty to for steering investments to contributors, resulting in a $1 million and broader reforms that proved insufficient to curb recurrence. More recently, under Governors and , scandals involved state contracts awarded to campaign donors, such as the $637 million deal to a firm linked to $300,000 in contributions, highlighting how executive influence intersects with Albany's legislative logjam to prioritize insider access over . Brian Benjamin's 2022 for —alleging he steered $250,000 in state grants to a developer's nonprofit in exchange for over $45,000 in contributions and personal favors—exemplifies how these systemic vulnerabilities manifest in everyday governance. Although federal charges were dismissed in January 2025 due to prosecutorial flaws, the case underscored Albany's tolerance for dynamics, where elected officials leverage positions in budget committees or grant allocations to solicit funds, a pattern echoed in convictions of figures like former Speaker (2015, ) and Majority Leader (2015, corruption). Critics, including former prosecutors, argue that New York's ethics oversight bodies, such as the on Public Ethics, lack independence, often staffed by appointees from the same , perpetuating a cycle where scandals prompt temporary scrutiny but rarely structural change. Reform efforts, including proposals for stricter donation limits and independent , have stalled amid resistance from entrenched interests, with data showing politicians raising funds at rates far exceeding national averages—over $100 million in the 2022 cycle alone—much from in-state business sectors seeking policy favors. This environment not only erodes , with polls indicating over 70% of ers view as corrupt, but also incentivizes risky behavior by officials who perceive low personal risk due to plea deals or federal-state jurisdictional gaps. Ultimately, the Benjamin affair reflects deeper causal realities: concentrated power without robust counterbalances breeds opportunism, where electoral necessities collide with discretionary authority over billions in state spending.

Personal Life

Family Dynamics

Brian Benjamin was born in , , to immigrant parents Alvin Benjamin from and Yvonne Benjamin from , who sought better opportunities in the United States. Despite lacking college educations themselves, his parents emphasized the importance of education and hard work, influencing Benjamin's pursuit of higher learning at and . When Benjamin was five years old, his family relocated from to in , a move reflecting aspirations for improved living conditions amid economic pressures faced by many immigrant families in urban . Benjamin is married and has at least one daughter; the family appeared together publicly during his swearing-in as New York State Senator on September 10, 2021, alongside his parents, underscoring close-knit intergenerational ties. In biographical accounts, Benjamin has highlighted his parents' sacrifices and cultural heritage from the Caribbean as formative, crediting them with fostering resilience and community-oriented values that shaped his political motivations. No public records indicate siblings or notable familial conflicts, with available information portraying a stable household supportive of his career ascent from local activism to state office.

Extrapolitical Interests and Lifestyle

Prior to entering politics, Benjamin worked for three years in at , where he focused on financial management and advised both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. He later became a partner at The Genesis Companies, a firm specializing in development in . These ventures reflect his professional engagement with urban economic development and finance outside governmental roles. Benjamin has described his upbringing in , as the son of a Guyanese immigrant mother and a Jamaican father who worked as a , as shaping a family-oriented lifestyle centered on upward mobility and community ties. He is married with two children, maintaining a low public profile on non-professional personal pursuits such as hobbies.

References

  1. [1]
    Former State Sen. Brian Benjamin - Biography - LegiStorm
    Full Name: Brian A. Benjamin · Pronouns: Masculine Male · Date of Birth: Dec. 9, 1976 (age: 48) · Place of Birth: New York City, N.Y. · Hometown: Harlem, N.Y. ...
  2. [2]
    Governor Hochul Announces Selection of Senator Brian Benjamin ...
    Aug 26, 2021 · Senator Benjamin was born in Harlem to a Caribbean mother who came to this country seeking new opportunities. Though they didn't have a college ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography<|separator|>
  3. [3]
    Who is Brian Benjamin? New York State Senator to Become ...
    Aug 25, 2021 · Brian Benjamin, a New York state senator, has been selected by New York Governor Kathy Hochul to be lieutenant governor, according to a ...
  4. [4]
    Brian Benjamin - Ballotpedia
    Benjamin received a degree from Brown University and a master's degree in business from Harvard. He has worked in financial management at Morgan Stanley and for ...
  5. [5]
    About Brian Benjamin - The New York State Senate
    He was born in Harlem to a Caribbean mother who came to this country seeking new opportunities. Though they didn't have a college education, his parents were ...Missing: Lieutenant | Show results with:Lieutenant
  6. [6]
    New York lieutenant governor resigns after being charged ... - NPR
    Apr 13, 2022 · Brian Benjamin surrendered to the FBI Tuesday morning. His case is being handled by the Southern District Court of New York.
  7. [7]
    Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigns following federal indictment
    Apr 12, 2022 · The Harlem Democrat pleaded not guilty Tuesday to multiple corruption charges related to his 2021 campaign for New York City comptroller.
  8. [8]
    US ends former New York lieutenant governor's bribery case after ...
    Jan 17, 2025 · Federal prosecutors on Friday dropped their corruption case against former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, following the death ...
  9. [9]
    U.S. Drops Corruption Case Against New York's Former Lieutenant ...
    Jan 17, 2025 · Federal prosecutors in Manhattan told a judge on Friday that they would drop a bribery case against Brian A. Benjamin, New York's former lieutenant governor.
  10. [10]
    Brian Benjamin - Northeast President - CINQCARE - LinkedIn
    Experience ; President. CINQCARE. Jan 2025 ; Lieutenant Governor. The State of New York. Sep 2021 ; Member, Board of Trustees. Brown University. 2015 ; State ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  11. [11]
    Brian A. Benjamin | Corporation | Brown University
    After attending high school in New York City, Brian earned a bachelor's degree from Brown University and a master's degree from Harvard Business School. After ...
  12. [12]
    In video, Lt. Gov. Benjamin highlights biography - Spectrum 1 News
    Feb 16, 2022 · The video spotlights Benjamin's parents: His mother Yvonne immigrated to the U.S. from Guyana, his father Alvin from Jamaica. The video, which ...
  13. [13]
    Senior NY official, son of Guyanese immigrant, charged with bribery
    Apr 18, 2022 · His stepfather is a Jamaican immigrant who was Brian's bus driver when he was a child. The website said that they raised Benjamin in New ...
  14. [14]
    Brian Benjamin - The New York State Senate
    He was born in Harlem to a Caribbean mother who came to this country seeking new opportunities. Though they didn't have a college education, his parents were ...Missing: career | Show results with:career
  15. [15]
    Brian Benjamin's Past, Central Harlem's Future - The Narrative Wars
    While Benjamin was born at Harlem Hospital, his family moved to Starrett City, Brooklyn when he was 5. Benjamin grew up middle class, the product of his ...Missing: upbringing | Show results with:upbringing
  16. [16]
    Former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin talks life after resignation - NY1
    Jan 11, 2023 · Benjamin said he was born in Harlem, raised in Brooklyn and Queens, went to Brown Harvard Business School and was “able to raise the level of ...Missing: background childhood
  17. [17]
    Hochul Picks Harlem State Sen. Brian Benjamin as Lieutenant ...
    Aug 26, 2021 · Benjamin, 44, born to Caribbean immigrant parents, is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Business School. His political career started ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  18. [18]
    Brian Benjamin '98 appointed lieutenant governor of New York
    Sep 29, 2021 · Benjamin is the son of a Caribbean mother from Guyana who arrived in the United States with “two suitcases and a dream and knowledge.” His ...
  19. [19]
    Brian Benjamin | Crain's New York Business
    In 2010, he joined Genesis Cos., a real estate development firm started by a classmate at Harvard Business School. The company now owns 1,000 affordable ...
  20. [20]
    Assemblyman Wright and community leaders laud affordable ...
    Genesis Companies is an MWBE firm founded in 2004. The executive leadership includes Karim Hutson, Nicole Lockett and Brian Benjamin.
  21. [21]
    Genesis Companies, LLC - LinkedIn
    May 15, 2024 · Twenty years ago, Karim Hutson founded Genesis Companies to build and preserve safe, affordable, and sustainable housing.
  22. [22]
    When Community Comes First in Multifamily Development
    Feb 22, 2022 · As MHN observes Black History Month, we talk to Genesis Cos.' founder Karim Hutson about his dedication to transforming neighborhoods.
  23. [23]
    NYCHA's $384M Harlem Renovation: Genesis And Lemor Seal The ...
    Oct 1, 2024 · Established in 2004, Genesis Companies is a real estate development firm that oversees 49 housing projects in Harlem. Since its founding in 2014 ...
  24. [24]
    Hochul to announce Sen. Brian Benjamin as new lieutenant governor
    Aug 26, 2021 · He helped countless young people at Harlem's Wadleigh High School achieve a brighter future since launching a mentoring ... Early voting starts on ...Missing: influences | Show results with:influences
  25. [25]
    Hochul Picks State Senator Brian Benjamin as Lieutenant Governor
    Aug 25, 2021 · Gov. Kathy Hochul chose Mr. Benjamin, a state senator from Harlem, to fill the second highest-ranking role in New York's government.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  26. [26]
    Brian Benjamin: Doing Business in Black Communities for the ...
    Sep 19, 2014 · Brian Benjamin of Genesis Companies enjoys doing Business in black Communities for the benefit of minorities with real estate development.
  27. [27]
    Is Brian Benjamin the Person Who Can Turn NYCHA Around?
    Sep 20, 2021 · Prior to becoming an elected official, he spent seven years at Genesis Companies, a Black-owned affordable-housing developer that is now one of ...
  28. [28]
    State senator has consulting job with controversial landlord in his ...
    a company that has amassed hundreds of building violations and ...Missing: founder | Show results with:founder
  29. [29]
    State senator candidate is exec at company that owns problem ...
    Mar 27, 2017 · Benjamin is a top executive at Genesis Companies, the development firm that has emerged as one of Harlem's biggest owners of rental properties.
  30. [30]
    New kid on the block: Brian Benjamin - New York Amsterdam News
    May 18, 2017 · Born in Harlem, Benjamin grew up in Brooklyn's Starrett City. He graduated from Brown University and Harvard Business School. Since 2010 ...Missing: upbringing | Show results with:upbringing
  31. [31]
    Who is Brian Benjamin? - News12 The Bronx
    Before getting into politics, Benjamin worked in investment banking for Morgan Stanley. He then was a member of former President Barack Obama's National Finance ...
  32. [32]
    State Senate District 30 | New York State Board of Elections
    2017 May 23 • Special State Senator • State Senate District 30. Candidates. BB. Brian Benjamin. Democratic · DS. Dawn Simmons. Republican.
  33. [33]
    Minutes from the New York County Meeting of the 30th Senate District
    Mar 21, 2017 · Below are the minutes of the event and the submitted nomination form declaring Brian Benjamin the Democratic candidate for the 30th SD Special Election.<|separator|>
  34. [34]
    Brian Benjamin Wins Special Election for Upper Manhattan State ...
    May 24, 2017 · Benjamin was the overwhelming favorite after getting multiple endorsements from labor unions and elected officials. He got more than 90 percent ...Missing: 2016 | Show results with:2016
  35. [35]
    Brian Benjamin wins special election for state senate seat
    May 24, 2017 · Brian Benjamin is Harlem's newest politician winning in a landslide in the special election on Tuesday to replace the seat vacated by ...Missing: 2016 | Show results with:2016
  36. [36]
    Brian Benjamin on his first month in office - City & State New York
    Oct 18, 2021 · Benjamin seems refreshed in his new role. He said that joining the board of directors of a real estate investment company when he was working ...
  37. [37]
    Senator Brian Benjamin's Legislation - The New York State Senate
    Brian Benjamin. Served from June 5, 2017 – September 9, 2021. find your ... Legislation. NYSenate.gov New York State Senate Seal. Socials. Follow the New ...Missing: key | Show results with:key
  38. [38]
    Brian A. Benjamin | New York State Board of Elections
    Brian A. Benjamin · 2020. General. Won the race for State Senator in State Senate District 30 with 115,397 votes against 1 opponents. · 2020. Democratic Primary.Missing: 2016 | Show results with:2016
  39. [39]
    NY State Senate Bill 2019-S1343C
    BILL NUMBER: S1343C SPONSOR: BENJAMIN TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the executive law and the penal law, in relation to revocation of community supervision ...
  40. [40]
    LESS IS MORE ACT, TRANSFORMATIVE PAROLE REFORM BILL ...
    We thank the legislature and sponsors Senator Brian Benjamin and Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest for taking action and passing the Less is More Act, and ...
  41. [41]
    NY Gov. Hochul expected to name state Sen. Brian Benjamin for ...
    Aug 25, 2021 · He sponsored legislation signed into law last June that outlawed chokeholds by police officers. Benjamin was among the Democrats who called ...
  42. [42]
    Brian Benjamin | Suffolk County Democratic Committee
    Brian Benjamin was born in Harlem to an immigrant mother who had come to this country with hopes for a better future for her son.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  43. [43]
    Harlem's Brian Benjamin Launches Campaign For City Comptroller
    Oct 15, 2020 · Benjamin, who represents Harlem in the State Senate, officially launched his bid Thursday to become the city's next top fiscal officer.Missing: date | Show results with:date
  44. [44]
    Brian Benjamin Launches Campaign for New York City Comptroller
    Right off the bat Benjamin made his background in finance a focal point, something he's likely to continue to stress in an effort to differentiate himself from ...
  45. [45]
    Preferences for New York City Comptroller – 2021 Primary Election
    Citizens Union prefers Brian Benjamin because his track record, both in the private sector and as a State Senator, will allow him to effectively serve as the ...
  46. [46]
    How this candidate would redefine the role of comptroller - NY1
    May 21, 2021 · Candidate for city comptroller Brian Benjamin said his priorities for the job would be to build more affordable housing and audit the NYPD ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  47. [47]
    Benjamin Comptroller Platform includes Police Accountability ...
    May 12, 2021 · Current State Senator Brian Benjamin is running for City Comptroller behind a platform focused on affordable housing and education, ...
  48. [48]
    City Comptroller Candidates Seek to Set Themselves Apart at ...
    Feb 2, 2021 · (l-r) Brad Lander, Brian Benjamin, David Weprin, Kevin Parker. Five Democratic candidates running in the primary for New York City ...<|separator|>
  49. [49]
    How a Flawed Vetting Process Led Gov. Hochul to Brian Benjamin
    Apr 30, 2022 · An initial 63-page background check revealed two red flags in Mr. Benjamin's past, but it failed to turn up a subpoena issued to his political campaign.
  50. [50]
    2021 New York City Comptroller Primary Election Results
    Jun 22, 2021 · The late entry of Corey Johnson, the City Council speaker, inserted tension and energy into the race. Democratic Primary. Updated July 20, 2021.
  51. [51]
    DEM Comptroller Citywide - NYC Board of Elections
    Jun 22, 2021 · Election results. Brad Lander won the DEM Comptroller Citywide Primary with 340,944 of the votes in the final round.
  52. [52]
    Brian Benjamin Comptroller Campaign Ditches Dollars THE CITY ...
    including from ...
  53. [53]
    New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin Charged With ...
    Apr 13, 2022 · In particular, BENJAMIN is charged with bribery, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit those offenses, based on BENJAMIN's use of ...
  54. [54]
    Kathy Hochul chooses state Senator Brian Benjamin as New York's ...
    Aug 25, 2021 · New York Governor Kathy Hochul has chosen Brian A. Benjamin, a New York City-based state senator, as her lieutenant governor, ...
  55. [55]
    Brian Benjamin sworn in as New York's lieutenant governor
    Sep 10, 2021 · 9. Governor Kathy Hochul (D) had appointed Benjamin to the position on Aug. 25, after Hochul became governor in the wake of former Gov. Andrew ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
  56. [56]
    Brian Benjamin officially sworn in as New York Lieutenant Governor
    Sep 9, 2021 · 9, promoting the uptown state Senator to the second-in-line to Governor Kathy Hochul. “We have a lot on our plate,” said Hochul at the ceremony ...<|separator|>
  57. [57]
    New York Constitution Article IV § 6 - Duties and compensation of ...
    The lieutenant-governor shall be the president of the senate but shall have only a casting vote therein.
  58. [58]
    Lieutenant Governor, Office of the - New York State Archives |
    The lieutenant governor is responsible for assuming the duties of the governor in case of the governor's removal from office by death, disability, impeachment, ...
  59. [59]
    What Does The Lieutenant Governor Of New York Do? - Gothamist
    Aug 24, 2021 · In addition, the lieutenant governor has a few duties including serving on the New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments, the State ...
  60. [60]
    What does New York's lieutenant governor actually do?
    May 5, 2022 · The lieutenant governor has just two concrete responsibilities: to preside over the state Senate, and to serve as second in line to succeed the governor.
  61. [61]
    New Lt. Governor Makes First Meeting with Westchester Business ...
    In what was the new Lieutenant Governor's first chance to meet with the Westchester business community, Brian Benjamin took center stage as the latest guest ...
  62. [62]
    Brian Benjamin outlines his initial responsibilities as Lieutenant ...
    New York State officially has a new Lieutenant Governor. State Senator Brian Benjamin was sworn in for the role ...Missing: timeline career<|control11|><|separator|>
  63. [63]
    United States v. Benjamin, No. 22-3091 (2d Cir. 2024) - Justia Law
    Mar 8, 2024 · The case involves Brian Benjamin, a state senator ... The district court agreed with Benjamin and dismissed these counts of the indictment.
  64. [64]
    Brian Benjamin's Corruption Case Is Revived by Appeals Court
    Mar 8, 2024 · Prosecutors have said Brian Benjamin, the former lieutenant governor of New York, planned to funnel state money to a developer in exchange ...Missing: initiatives engagements
  65. [65]
    How Brian Benjamin and a Campaign Donor Attempted a Taxpayer ...
    Apr 13, 2022 · The former lieutenant governor and Harlem real estate owner Gerald Migdol tried to trade grants and campaign funds subsidized by state and ...
  66. [66]
    Developer pleads guilty in ex-Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin scheme
    May 11, 2022 · The Harlem real estate developer charged alongside disgraced ex-Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin flipped on the forced-to-resign pol and pleaded ...
  67. [67]
    Lt. Gov. Benjamin Resigns Following Campaign Finance Indictment
    Apr 12, 2022 · Brian A. Benjamin, New York's second in command to Gov. Kathy Hochul, was charged with bribery, fraud and falsification of records while a state ...
  68. [68]
    No Quid Pro Quo: Judge Dismisses Campaign-Contribution Bribery ...
    Dec 15, 2022 · Benjamin moved to dismiss the entire indictment. In dismissing the bribery-related charges, Judge Oetken first reviewed Supreme Court case law ...
  69. [69]
    Hochul addresses Benjamin resignation: “It was very unfortunate”
    Apr 13, 2022 · Gov. Kathy Hochul claims to be seeing a silver lining in the political clouds shadowing the downfall of former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who resigned Tuesday.
  70. [70]
    Gov. Hochul's chief of staff pays price for disastrous vetting of Brian ...
    Apr 13, 2022 · Gov. Kathy Hochul's longtime chief of staff played a key role in her disastrous decision to name Brian Benjamin as her lieutenant governor ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  71. [71]
    Kathy Hochul's Challenge: Keep Brian Benjamin Resignation ...
    Apr 12, 2022 · The lieutenant governor's resignation following campaign finance indictment leaves Hochul running on a shared ticket, with messy options for ...
  72. [72]
    The political fallout of Brian Benjamin resignation - Spectrum News
    Apr 12, 2022 · New York state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner gets why voters are so frustrated when people in elected office are accused of wrongdoing.
  73. [73]
    Brian Benjamin's Resignation Is a Gift to New York Progressives
    Apr 15, 2022 · With New York's lieutenant governor out of action, the path to power for veteran activist Ana María Archila just got a lot easier.
  74. [74]
    How Brian Benjamin Aims to Quash His Corruption Case
    Aug 9, 2022 · The former lieutenant governor on Wednesday will ask a federal judge to dismiss charges arising from a campaign matching-funds scheme first ...
  75. [75]
    U.S. v. Benjamin Sheds Light On Tangled Federal Bribery Law
    Jan 26, 2023 · In this article, we discuss the recent dismissal of bribery charges against former lieutenant governor Brian Benjamin. In his lucid opinion ...Missing: arguments | Show results with:arguments
  76. [76]
    Brian Benjamin argues to keep the dropped corruption charges ...
    Mar 20, 2023 · Benjamin's attorneys wrote that reversing the lower court's decision would “threaten to elide the distinction between legitimate political ...
  77. [77]
    [PDF] Petition - In the Supreme Court of the United States
    Aug 5, 2024 · Where the government charges an elected official with bribery for accepting campaign contributions in exchange for lawful constituent services, ...
  78. [78]
    Defense Counsel in Brian Benjamin's Bribery Case Seeks Clarity ...
    Aug 9, 2024 · Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York allege Benjamin promised to allocate $50,000 in state funding ...
  79. [79]
    US Supreme Court leaves former New York lieutenant governor's ...
    Dec 16, 2024 · In Benjamin's challenge to the indictment, U.S. District Judge Paul Oetken dismissed the most serious charges - bribery, honest wire fraud ...
  80. [80]
    Brian Benjamin Corruption Case Cleared for Trial After Supreme ...
    Dec 16, 2024 · Former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin is back on track to face trial on corruption charges after the U.S. Supreme Court Monday rejected his request ...
  81. [81]
    Charges dropped against former New York Lt. Governor Brian ...
    Jan 17, 2025 · Federal prosecutors on Friday dropped bribery and fraud charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, citing the death of a cooperating witness.
  82. [82]
    Bribery, fraud charges dropped against former New York Lt. Governor
    Jan 17, 2025 · Brian Benjamin, citing the death of a cooperating witness against the Democrat who the governor had once chosen to be her second-in-command.
  83. [83]
    Corruption Charges Dismissed Against Ex-Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin
    Dec 5, 2022 · A federal judge in Manhattan dismissed bribery charges against former Lt. Gov. Brian A. Benjamin of New York on Monday, saying prosecutors had not demonstrated ...
  84. [84]
    Feds drop case against former New York lieutenant governor
    Federal prosecutors dropped the corruption case against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin three years after charging him, ...
  85. [85]
    Brian Benjamin officially has a new job - City & State New York
    Feb 25, 2025 · Benjamin recently started at CinqCare, a Washington, D.C.-based health care company with a presence in New York. He's serving as the ...
  86. [86]
    Brian Benjamin never wanted a pardon from Trump
    Jan 23, 2025 · The former lieutenant governor is finally speaking out now that federal prosecutors have dropped all charges against him.
  87. [87]
    Former Lt. Gov. Benjamin breaks silence after bribery case - NY1
    Jan 23, 2025 · Federal prosecutors recently dropped the bribery case against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin; Benjamin resigned in 2022 after his ...
  88. [88]
    Brian Benjamin is Back - POLITICO
    Jan 22, 2025 · Slam the biased prosecutors. And keep on running for office. Think Mayor Eric Adams. President Donald Trump. Former Rep. George Santos. Former ...
  89. [89]
    Brian Benjamin Bribery Charges Dismissed but Criminal Case ...
    Dec 5, 2022 · Campaign finance scheme first exposed by THE CITY wasn't enough for prosecutors to bring fraud or graft charges against the former ...
  90. [90]
    About Us - CINQCARE
    Angelique Kelly-Lara. Chief People Officer. A professional portrait of Brian Benjamin. Brian Benjamin. President Northeast. A professional portrait of Rita ...
  91. [91]
    Brian Benjamin - X
    Feb 25, 2025 · I am pleased to announce that I have recently accepted the position of President for the Northeast Region for CINQCARE.
  92. [92]
    PRESS RELEASE - LESS IS MORE BILL SPONSORS SENATOR ...
    Senator Brian Benjamin, Prime Bill Sponsor, said: “New York imprisons more people for non-criminal technical violations of parole than any state in the country.<|control11|><|separator|>
  93. [93]
    Governor Hochul Announces Major Actions To Improve Justice and ...
    Sep 17, 2021 · The Less is More Act will increase racial justice in New York's criminal justice system, strengthen public safety, and save the State money.
  94. [94]
    Brian Benjamin's ethical controversies - City & State New York
    Apr 12, 2022 · The lieutenant governor has been accused of stretching the rules as a state senator and candidate for New York City comptroller. Brian Benjamin ...Missing: specifics | Show results with:specifics
  95. [95]
    Congratulations, New York, You're #1 in Corruption - Politico
    May 5, 2015 · Today, New York is rich in corruption scandals due to a confluence of circumstances. Albany is a highly insular place. Political scientists have ...
  96. [96]
    Why Are New York Politicians So Corrupt? - The Nation
    Nov 1, 2024 · New York's state government sometimes seems deliberately designed to empower corruption and make accountability difficult. Albany is a ...
  97. [97]
    The Federal Edge in New York's Fight Against Corruption
    Dec 11, 2024 · Substantively, federal laws provide more options for prosecuting bribery of federal and state or local officials, and they are generally worded ...Missing: systemic | Show results with:systemic
  98. [98]
    Brian Benjamin Case: Why Is New York Politics So Corrupt?
    Apr 22, 2022 · ... case against Brian Benjamin and political corruption in New York ... Why Is New York Politics So Corrupt? Portrait of Nia Prater. By Nia ...
  99. [99]
    https://www.pionline.com/article/20100916/ONLINE/100919924/1-million-settlement-made-with-n-y-state-over-pay-to-play
  100. [100]
    https://www.nypost.com/2022/09/28/hochul-has-no-regrets-on-637m-deal-in-pay-to-play-scandal/
  101. [101]
    Timeline: A History of Political Corruption in Albany - NBC New York
    Jan 22, 2015 · In 2011, he pleaded guilty to corruption charges in a pay-to-play scandal involving the state's massive pension system. 2000: Sen. Guy ...
  102. [102]
    How Albany Really Works: Cuomo Loyalist Exposes Pay-to-Play ...
    Feb 16, 2018 · “In Albany, the biggest scandal is what's legal, not what's illegal,” Mr. Horner said. Mimi Rocah, who worked from 2001 to 2017 as an assistant ...
  103. [103]
    How Corrupt Is New York, Anyway? - Vital City
    Feb 12, 2025 · Corruption might appear impenetrable, but it weakens when brought out into the harsh light of public scrutiny. The city's recent regression into ...
  104. [104]
    Brian Benjamin, NY's next lieutenant governor, is proud son of Harlem
    Aug 26, 2021 · He was born in the famed Manhattan neighborhood in 1976, to a Caribbean mother who moved there to start a new life. He returned post-college, ...
  105. [105]
    Brian Benjamin, his parents and wife with daughter pose...
    Sep 10, 2021 · Brian Benjamin, his parents and wife with daughter pose after his swearing in ceremony at State Executive office on 3rd Avenue.Missing: siblings | Show results with:siblings
  106. [106]
    Brian Benjamin - Facebook
    Brian Benjamin. 966 likes. Son of a Guyanese mother & a Jamaican bus driver. Husband & father of . Lt Governor.Missing: background childhood
  107. [107]
    Expected to become lieutenant governor, who is Brian Benjamin?
    Aug 25, 2021 · Before entering politics, Benjamin served chair of Community Board 10 in Harlem. Benjamin is also a graduate of Brown University and Harvard ...