Lt. Gov. Brian A. Benjamin surrendered to authorities to face campaign finance fraud-related charges in connection with a past campaign

Arrest comes after reports that Manhattan federal prosecutors and the FBI were investigating whether Benjamin knowingly engaged in a campaign finance fraud scheme

Investigators also looked into whether Benjamin helped dole out state money to contributors and/or their projects as part of the alleged fraud

The investigation into Benjamin came after the FBI arrested Gerald Migdol, his fund raiser, in November

Migdol is charged with wire fraud in connection with an alleged campaign fraud scheme linked to past Benjamin fundraising

Indictment said Brian Benjamin and others acting at his direction or on his behalf also engaged in a series of lies and deceptions to cover up the scheme that stretched from 2019 to 2021

It further states states that Benjamin falsified campaign donor forms, misled municipal regulators and provided false information in vetting forms submitted while he was being considered to be appointed as Lt. Gov.

New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin has surrendered to authorities to face campaign finance fraud-related charges in connection with a past campaign, two people familiar with the matter said Tuesday.
Benjamin is expected to appear in Manhattan federal court later Tuesday. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office couldn’t immediately be reached for comment on the arrest, nor could a representative for Benjamin.
His arrest comes after reports that Manhattan federal prosecutors and the FBI were investigating allegations that Benjamin knowingly engaged in a campaign finance fraud scheme.
Subpoenas were issued in connection with the investigation, two sources familiar with the subpoenas said at the time.
The investigators also looked into whether the Lt. Gov. helped dole out state money to contributors or their projects, as part of the alleged fraud.
Benjamin was appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2021, shortly after losing a primary bid for New York City comptroller. He previously served as the New York State Senator for District 30, which is made up of Harlem, East Harlem (El Barrio), the Upper West Side, Washington Heights, Hamilton Heights and Morningside Heights.
The investigation into Benjamin came after the FBI arrested Gerald Migdol, his fund raiser, in November. He is charged with wire fraud in connection with an alleged campaign fraud scheme linked to past Benjamin fundraising.
Subpoenas were issued in connection with the investigation, two sources familiar with the subpoenas said at the time.
The indictment said Benjamin, formerly a state senator from Harlem, and others acting at his direction or on his behalf also engaged in a series of lies and deceptions to cover up the scheme that stretched from 2019 to 2021.
They falsified campaign donor forms, misled municipal regulators and provided false information in vetting forms Benjamin submitted while he was being considered to be appointed as lieutenant governor, the indictment said.

Following the confirmation that Benjamin was being investigated, the lieutenant governor’s office referred questions to its November 19 press statement issued at the time of Migdol’s arrest in which it said it was prepared to cooperate.
“Neither Lieutenant Governor Benjamin nor his campaign are being accused of any wrongdoing and they are prepared to fully cooperate with authorities,” it said.
“As soon as the campaign discovered that these contributions were improperly sourced, they donated them to the Campaign Finance Board, pursuant to guidance obtained from the CFB.”
After the indictment was announced, the New York City Campaign Finance Board said in a statement that no public funds were issued to Benjamin’s campaign.
“The CFB’s audit reviews identified potentially fraudulent contributions prior to issuing any public funds payments,” the CFB said.
“Those contributions were not matched with public funds, nor did they factor into the campaign qualifying for public funds payments.”