NEW YORK — New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin was arrested Tuesday and is facing federal campaign finance fraud and bribery charges related to his time as a state senator and his failed city comptroller bid.
Benjamin, a Democrat, pleaded not guilty during a brief appearance in Manhattan federal court after prosecutors with the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment charging him with bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records.
“This is a simple story of corruption,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Damian Williams said during an afternoon news conference. “Taxpayers’ money for campaign contributions. Quid pro quo. That’s bribery, plain and simple.”
