Former Lieutenant Governor Has Charges Dismissed

Federal prosecutors have dismissed charges against former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin due to a key witness’s death last year.

Key Takeaways

Federal charges against Brian Benjamin were dropped following the death of witness Gerald Migdol.
Gerald Migdol, who pleaded guilty to bribery, died last February, weakening the case.
Migdol allegedly made donations to Benjamin for a state grant in return.
Benjamin’s legal team said they expressed belief in his vindication from the outset.
Federal prosecutors could not prove charges without Migdol’s testimony.

Case Details and Witness’s Role

Federal prosecutors accused Brian Benjamin of bribery and conspiracy while serving as the Lieutenant Governor of New York. Charges linked to dealings with Gerald Migdol fell apart after Migdol’s passing in February 2024. Migdol, a Harlem real estate developer, admitted to bribery in contributing to Benjamin’s funds for a $50,000 grant. His death left the prosecution with insufficient evidence to proceed.

Following Migdol’s demise, the U.S. Southern District of New York concluded the inability to prove charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Judge J. Paul Oetken signed off on dismissing the case. Without Migdol’s testimony, the evidence diminished significantly, influencing prosecutors’ decision. This step has broad implications given the case’s weight and governmental standings.

Feds drop corruption charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin https://t.co/8FsCt5Lght pic.twitter.com/tEGZBlXxV0

— New York Post (@nypost) January 18, 2025

Following Benjamin’s Legal Journey

Brian Benjamin initially became embroiled in these legal issues while serving as State Senator for Harlem and Lieutenant Governor under Governor Kathy Hochul. In 2021, Hochul appointed him post-Cuomo’s resignation. However, Benjamin resigned in 2022 after surrendering to bribery, conspiracy, and honest services wire fraud charges.

Prosecutors indicated a lack of concrete evidence of quid pro quo activities that countered defense claims. Previously, some of the charges involving bribery and fraud were dropped, leaving records falsification as the focus. The case highlights the constraints in legal processes when primary witnesses are unavailable.

Reaction from Legal Teams

Following the case closure, Benjamin’s lawyers conveyed relief, saying, “Today’s vindication of Brian Benjamin is a timely reminder of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous words: ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,’”

Publicly, Benjamin thanked the Southern District for concluding the case. This development signifies a notable chapter in political-legal books, especially considering the upheaval it caused in New York’s political circles. As the scenario unfolds further, it remains an emblematic occurrence in governance and justice intersections.