The corruption apparently knows no bounds in New York State, as yet another high-level lawmaker has found themselves in hot water.
From the same office that brought you the revolving door of scandals involving now-disgraced ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo comes an exciting new bribery crisis that has seen the Lieutenant Governor indicted.
New York Lieutenant Gov. Brian Benjamin was indicted for alleged bribery and other offenses, as part of what federal prosecutors say was a “scheme” to get campaign contributions in exchange for a $50,000 state grant.
The indictment also alleges that Benjamin and others worked to “cover up” the plot, engaging “in a series of lies and deception.”
The charges were fairly clear cut.
According to the indictment, from 2019 through 2021, Benjamin carried out the scheme while he was a state senator and a candidate for state comptroller. During that time, Benjamin allegedly solicited campaign donations from and to be raised by a real estate developer, win exchange for appropriating state funds for the developer’s non-profit organization.
The news comes on the heels of a number of high profile problems that led to the eventual resignation of the aforementioned Cuomo, not the least of which involved nearly a dozen women credibly accusing him of sexual assault and harassment.
If convicted, Benjamin could face up to 20 years in prison.
