Bribery and fraud charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin were tossed out Monday by a federal judge, leaving Benjamin to face only records falsification charges.
Judge J. Paul Oetken in a written opinion said prosecutors failed to allege an explicit example in which Benjamin provided a favor for a bribe, an essential element of bribery and honest services fraud charges.
Benjamin, a Democrat, resigned after his arrest last April. He pleaded not guilty to charges that he obtained campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for his influence to get a $50,000 grant of state funds for a nonprofit organization the developer controlled. Benjamin's arrest had created a political crisis for Gov. Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat who chose him to serve as second-in-command when she became governor following a sexual harassment scandal that drove from office her predecessor, Democrat Andrew Cuomo.At the time of his arrest, Benjamin's lawyers had issued a statement saying they planned to show the courts that their client's actions were laudable rather than a crime.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Benjamin Netanyahu hopes Trump will condemn antisemitismIsraeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu says that he hopes Trump condemns antisemitism after having dinner with white nationalist Nick Fuentes and rapper Ye last month.
Read more »
Texans’ Eno Benjamin, Amari Rodgers active for first time, O.J. Howard inactiveTexans running back Eno Benjamin and wide receiver Amari Rodgers are active for the first time since joining the team off waivers. AaronWilson_NFL
Read more »
Michael Douglas Is Unrecognizable as Benjamin Franklin in New SeriesMichael Douglas has truly transformed for his upcoming role as Benjamin Franklin in new photos from the set of the historic, limited Apple TV+ series.
Read more »
Christmas Mountain Installation Goes up in the Greene Space | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYCThe live art installation in WNYC's Greene Space, the history of holiday traditions that inspired it, and how New York was instrumental in creating Christmas as we celebrate it today.
Read more »
Clerks III: Brian O’Halloran & Jeff Anderson Talk Franchise’s LegacyClerks3 stars BrianOHalloran & JeffAnderson talk to Bleeding Cool about the Clerks franchise's legacy, indie filmmaking since Clerks' release, adding more nuance to Dante & Randal & more. Lionsgate ClerksMovie BrianCOHalloran ThatKevinSmith
Read more »
Giants got what they deserved after Brian Daboll’s conservative callThe game was there to be won, and Daniel Jones had it on fourth-and-3 at the Washington 45 in overtime — and Brian Daboll decided it was better not to lose it than to try to win it.
Read more »