Corruption Charges Against Former NY Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin Dropped After Key Witness Dies

Federal prosecutors ended their case against Brian Benjamin, citing the death of a cooperating witness central to proving the allegations.

Federal prosecutors dismissed corruption charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, citing the death of key witness Gerald Migdol.
Migdol, a real estate developer, had pleaded guilty to bribery and fraud and was cooperating with prosecutors before his death in February 2024.
Benjamin was accused of steering a $50,000 state grant to Migdol's nonprofit in exchange for political campaign donations.
The charges had been reinstated by a federal appeals court after an earlier dismissal, but Migdol's death left prosecutors unable to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Benjamin, who resigned in 2022 after his arrest, maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.