NY lieutenant governor resigns after arrest in federal probe

NY lieutenant governor resigns after arrest in federal probe

New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin leaves the courthouse in New York, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Benjamin has been arrested in a federal corruption investigation. Authorities said the Democrat was arrested Tuesday on charges including bribery and falsification of records. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin has resigned in the wake of his arrest in a federal corruption investigation, creating a political crisis for Gov. Kathy Hochul seven months after she selected Benjamin as a partner to make a fresh start in an office already rocked by scandal. Hochul says Benjamin resigned Tuesday. He was accused in an indictment of participating in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamin’s agreement to use his influence as a state senator to get a $50,000 grant of state funds for a nonprofit organization the developer controlled. Benjamin pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

Photo: New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin leaves the courthouse in New York, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Benjamin has been arrested in a federal corruption investigation. Authorities said the Democrat was arrested Tuesday on charges including bribery and falsification of records. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)