Supreme Court Declines to Hear Former New York Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin’s Bribery Appeal

The decision allows federal corruption charges to proceed against Brian Benjamin, who is accused of directing state funds in exchange for campaign contributions.

• Brian Benjamin, former New York lieutenant governor, faces revived federal charges of bribery and corruption related to a $50,000 state grant and campaign donations.
• The Supreme Court declined to review Benjamin’s appeal, which argued that prosecutors overreached and failed to establish an explicit quid pro quo as required by precedent.
• Federal prosecutors allege Benjamin directed state funds to a Harlem nonprofit run by real estate developer Gerald Migdol in exchange for $25,000 in campaign contributions.
• A lower court initially dismissed the most serious charges, but an appellate court reversed the decision, allowing the case to proceed to trial despite the death of key witness Migdol.
• The case highlights ongoing legal debates over the scope of federal bribery laws, particularly in relation to campaign contributions and First Amendment protections.

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