Update: New York State Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin has decided to Resign Effective Today as New York State Lieutenant Governor.
Today New York State Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin was arrested as part of A Federal Corruption Investigation. This Arrest adds A Political Problem, perhaps for New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.
Benjamin was selected 7 Months Ago to Become Governor Hochul's Lieutenant Governor. Questions arise, in terms of Did Governor Hochul's Camp do a Backroom Check or any Vetting on Lieutenant Governor Benjamin, before they Selected him for the Position of NYS Lieutenant Governor?
Benjamin, A Democrat was accused in the Indictment Complaint of Partcipating in a Scheme to obtain Campaign Donations from A Real Estate Developer in exchange for Benjamin's agreement to use his influence as a New York State Senator to get a $50,000 Grant of State Funds for a Non Profit Organization that the Developer Controlled.
Benjamin faces charges including Bribery, Fraud, Conspiracy and Falsification of Records, Benjamin pleaded not guilty, today at Initial Appearance in Manhattan Federal Court.
Lieutenant Governor Benjamin was released and bail was set at $250,000 Dollars. The Terms of his release call for his travel to be restricted and bar him from returning to the State Capitol in Albany.
That does Setup chaos in terms of Governor Hochul running for a Full Term as NYS Governor in this Year's Election along with Lieutenant Governor Benjamin running as her Running Mate.
Governor Hochul faces A Democratic Primary with Congressman Tom Suozzi and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams on June 28th. Lieutenant Governor Benjamin faces A Democratic Party Primary for Lieutenant Governor also on June 28th with Democrats, Diana Reyna and Ana Maria Archila.
Some Elected Leaders in Albany are calling Lieutenant Governor Benjamin to Resign from his Position.
If he were to resign, Benjamin would still remain on the Ballot for the 2022 Gubernatorial Democratic Party Primary even if Governor Hochul were to pick a New Lieutenant Governor, according to State Elections Law.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer was rumored as A Potential Lieutenant Governor Candidate, when New York State Attorney General Leticia James was running for Governor, until She bowed out of Race, to run for Re-Election for NYS Attorney General This Year.
We will keep our readers posted on the Lieutenant Governor Benjamin Case and The Political Intrigue that is Going on.
New York State Insider Publisher Delfim Heusler
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