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A federal judge ruled to dismiss bribery and fraud charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, arguing that prosecutors failed to outline the explicit quid pro quo needed for the charges.
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Manhattan Federal Judge J. Paul Oetken says that Brian Benjamin, New York’s mercifully short-tenured lieutenant governor, cannot be charged by the U.S. attorney’s grand jury with bribery and honest services wire fraud. Too bad.
M Brian Benjamin, former lieutenant governor of New York, was "thankful for his vindication," as a federal judge tossed out bribery and fraud charges against him, leaving the Harlem Democrat to face only records falsification counts, a statement from his attorneys read.
A federal judge dismissed corruption and bribery charges Monday against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin after determining that the "indictment fails to allege an explicit quid pro quo."
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York filed a notice of appeal shortly after District Court Judge Paul Oetken determined Monday that prosecutors failed to show the fallen pol steered $50,000 in state funds to a nonprofit directly in exchange for fraudulent contributions to his failed city comptroller campaign.