A bill that would allow Democrats in Albany to remove former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin from the June primary ballot was introduced in the state Senate on Friday night.
The ballot issue comes up as Gov. Kathy Hochul grapples with limited options to remove her indicted running mate from the June 28 Democratic primary ballot.
Although Benjamin resigned from office, current law does not allow him to drop the ballot unless he dies, runs for another office, or moves out of New York state.
Legislation proposed Friday would allow candidates to be removed from the ballot if they have “been arrested or charged with one or more misdemeanor or felony offenses.”
Following news of his resignation, Benjamin’s attorneys, James D. Gatta and William Harrington, issued a statement calling his actions “laudable, not criminal.”
Benjamin, a Democrat, was charged with bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsifying records in an alleged scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamin’s agreement to use his influence as a state senator to obtain a state grant. of $50,000 to a non-profit organization controlled by the developer.
Facing charges including bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsifying records, Benjamin pleaded not guilty at an initial appearance in federal court in Manhattan.
Hochul accepted his resignation “effective immediately,” saying, “As the legal process unfolds, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lt. Governor. New Yorkers deserve absolute trust in their government and I will continue to work every day to deliver.”
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