Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin

Federal prosecutors have dismissed bribery and record falsification charges against former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, citing insufficient evidence following the death of a key witness. Benjamin, who resigned three years ago, had pleaded not guilty to accusations involving campaign contributions and a $50,000 grant.

The legislature acted on Gov. Hochul's request to approve the law to apply only to Benjamin's candidacy. Hochul signed it into law.

Benjamin resigned as lieutenant governor earlier this month after he was indicted on federal corruption charges. But under state law, he has to remain on the June primary ballot as Hochul’s running mate unless he dies, runs for another office, or moves out of state.

A new proposal sponsored by a New York state Assemblymember would make it easier to remove a candidate from office if they are charged with a crime.

Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a statement late Tuesday that she had accepted the lieutenant governor's resignation.

New York State Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin says he didn’t tell Governor Kathy Hochul about a subpoena he’d received when she was vetting him to be her second in command last summer.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul held her first public appearance with her choice of Lieutenant Governor, Brian Benjamin, who until this week, was a State Senator from Harlem.