Federal Prosecutors Drop Bribery Case Against Brian Benjamin

Federal prosecutors have dropped the bribery case against former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin following the death of key witness Gerald Migdol. Migdol, who had pleaded guilty to related charges and was cooperating with the government, died in February, prompting prosecutors to conclude they could no longer prove the charges against Benjamin. Benjamin faced accusations of funneling state funds to Migdol's real estate development in exchange for campaign contributions, which led to his resignation in April 2022 after his arrest. The case had seen various legal challenges, but the loss of Migdol's testimony ultimately left prosecutors unable to proceed. Benjamin's lawyers celebrated the decision as a vindication, referencing Martin Luther King Jr.'s belief that justice prevails in the end. The case had previously created a political crisis for Governor Kathy Hochul, who appointed Benjamin to the role in 2021.