Prosecutors Dismiss Charges Against Former New York Lt. Gov.

Federal prosecutors dropped bribery and fraud charges against former New York Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin, citing the death of a key witness, Gerald Migdol, as a significant factor. The prosecutors stated they could no longer prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt following Migdol's death in February 2024; Migdol had previously pleaded guilty to bribery charges and admitted to organizing fake campaign contributions for Benjamin. Benjamin, who resigned in April 2022 after his arrest, was initially chosen by Governor Kathy Hochul to serve as her second-in-command. His defense team expressed satisfaction with the outcome, invoking Martin Luther King Jr.'s words about justice. The case had faced challenges for prosecutors, including a judge's dismissal of some charges prior to Migdol's death. This development marks a notable shift in Benjamin's legal troubles and political standing.