New York lieutenant governor resigns over corruption allegations

New York State Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin submitted his resignation Tuesday, facing charges of corruption by a U.S. federal court, officials announced.

“New York State Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin has been charged with corruption and other related offenses,” Manhattan Federal Attorney Services said in a statement.

The 45-year-old lieutenant governor “appeared before the FBI in Manhattan this morning” and appeared before a federal judge, the report said.

Later in the day, Kathy Hochul, the governor of the fourth most populous state in the country with a population of about 20 million, announced her deputy’s acceptable resignation ‘.

“It is clear to both of us that he will not continue to serve as lieutenant governor. New Yorkers must have full confidence in his government,” said Hochul, a Democrat.

Benjamin has been accused of using his power to “use his power to divert state-run subsidies to a company controlled by a real estate investor in exchange for contributing to his campaign” since 2019. Was elected. , In 2021, in the position of Financial Controller of New York City.

A $ 50,000 grant was awarded to a non-profit organization controlled by a real estate investor.

Benjamin has been accused of providing false documents during his candidacy for lieutenant governor in the 2022 election and of “falling into a series of lies and scams to cover up the corruption mechanism.”

The current former deputy governor could face up to 10 years in prison on corruption charges and up to 20 years in prison for other charges against him.

Benjamin took over as lieutenant governor of New York in August, replacing Hochsul, who became governor after his predecessor Andrew Cuomo resigned after being charged with sexual harassment.