U.S. Supreme Court opens path for proceedings against Brian Benjamin

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear the appeal of former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, allowing the proceedings against him on corruption charges to continue. The charges relate to campaign donations from a Harlem developer and could impact the scope of federal bribery law. Previously, a district judge dismissed the most serious charges due to a lack of explicit agreement between Benjamin and the late developer Gerald Migdol. However, the appeals court found sufficient evidence of a direct quid pro quo. Benjamin is accused of redirecting $50,000 in state funds in exchange for donations. In their plea before the Supreme Court, Benjamin's lawyers argued that campaign donations should not be used in corruption lawsuits as protected speech under the First Amendment unless a clear agreement exists. The Justice Department disagreed, emphasizing that official actions in exchange for donations are not constitutionally protected. Recent Supreme Court decisions are increasingly making it more difficult for prosecutors to advance corruption cases against officials. In Benjamin's case, Migdol's death poses a challenge, yet prosecutors insist on maintaining the charges.