NY Lt. Gov. Arrested on Campaign Finance Fraud Charges

New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin surrendered to authorities Tuesday on charges related to campaign finance fraud.

The FBI and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York accuse Benjamin of conspiring to direct state funds to a New York City real estate investor in exchange for thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions to his failed 2021 campaign for city comptroller, according to the indictment, The Hill reports.

“In so doing, Benjamin abused his authority as a New York State senator, engaging in a bribery scheme using public funds for his own corrupt purposes,” the indictment reads.

Benjamin, appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul last year, was planning to run alongside her in their bid for a full term. Hochul reportedly did not know about the fraud scheme when she chose him in August of 2021.

Benjamin is expected to appear in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday.