Current:Home > NewsBribery, fraud charges reinstated against former New York Lt. Governor -Streamline Finance
Bribery, fraud charges reinstated against former New York Lt. Governor
View
Date:2025-04-13 06:04:29
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal appeals court on Friday reinstated bribery and fraud charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin.
The decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan reversed a December 2022 ruling by a lower-court judge that wiped out the bulk of the case against the Democrat, leaving only records falsification charges.
The appeals court said in its written decision that a jury could infer from the alleged facts in the case that Benjamin promised to perform an official act in exchange for monetary payments.
The ruling pertained to Benjamin’s dealings with a real estate developer who contributed to his campaign.
The three-judge panel that ruled in the case said Benjamin had fair warning that his alleged agreement with the developer “was illegal and that it would not become legal if he simply avoided memorializing it expressly in words or in writing.”
Benjamin’s lawyer, Barry Berke, did not immediately return a message seeking comment. A spokesperson for prosecutors declined comment.
Benjamin resigned as lieutenant governor after his April 2022 arrest. The arrest had created a political crisis for Gov. Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat who chose him to serve as second-in-command when she became governor following a sexual harassment scandal that drove from office her predecessor, Democrat Andrew Cuomo.
Benjamin was the state’s second Black lieutenant governor. During a state Legislature career that began in May 2017, he emphasized criminal justice reform and affordable housing. His district included most of central Harlem, where he was born and raised by Caribbean immigrant parents.
In tossing out the most serious charges in 2022, Judge J. Paul Oetken wrote that prosecutors failed to allege an explicit example in which Benjamin provided a favor for a bribe, an essential element of bribery and honest services fraud charges.
veryGood! (219)
Related
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Average rate on 30
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
Ranking
- $1 Frostys: Wendy's celebrates end of summer with sweet deal
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
Recommendation
Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested