History of Brian Benjamin in Timeline
Brian A. Benjamin is a former American politician and businessman who served as the lieutenant governor of New York from September 2021 to April 2022. He resigned from his position. A member of the Democratic Party, Benjamin represented the 30th district in the New York State Senate from 2017 to 2021.
December 9, 1976: Brian Benjamin's Birth
Brian A. Benjamin was born on December 9, 1976.
2007: Support for Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign
Brian Benjamin supported Barack Obama's 2007 presidential campaign.
2008: Obama Fundraiser
In 2008, Brian Benjamin hosted a fundraiser for Barack Obama.
2008: NextPoint's Role in the Subprime Mortgage Crisis
In 2008, NextPoint, the company where Brian Benjamin later served as a board member, was involved in the subprime mortgage crisis.
2010: Managing Partner at Genesis Companies
In 2010, Brian Benjamin became a managing partner at Genesis Companies, a minority business enterprise focused on affordable housing in Harlem.
2012: Obama Delegate and Fundraiser
In 2012, Brian Benjamin served as an Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention and raised funds for his reelection campaign.
2014: Appearance on "Love in the City" and Subsequent Allegations
In 2014, Brian Benjamin appeared on the reality TV show "Love in the City." Years later, the woman he was dating at the time accused him of theft.
2016: Chair of Manhattan Community Board 10
Brian Benjamin became the Chair of Manhattan Community Board 10 in Central Harlem in 2016, opposing a redevelopment plan.
May 2017: Special Election Victory
Brian Benjamin won a special election in May 2017 for the New York State Senate's 30th district.
May 24, 2017: Special Election Victory
Brian Benjamin won the special election for the NY State Senate's District 30 on May 24, 2017.
June 5, 2017: Sworn into State Senate
On June 5, 2017, Brian Benjamin was sworn into the New York State Senate.
June 2017: Start of Consulting Work
It was reported that Brian Benjamin began consulting for Genesis Companies in June 2017.
July 2017: Consulting Work for Genesis Companies
In July 2017, it was reported that Genesis Companies had retained Brian Benjamin as an advisor. Benjamin denied receiving compensation.
2017: Candidacy for NY State Senate
Brian Benjamin ran for the NY State Senate's District 30 seat in 2017, succeeding Bill Perkins.
2017: Election to New York State Senate
In 2017, Brian Benjamin was elected to the New York State Senate, representing the 30th district.
2017: Lawsuit Against Genesis Companies
In 2017, Genesis Companies, where Brian Benjamin was a managing partner, faced a lawsuit over an alleged revenue diversion scheme.
2017: Advocacy for Rikers Island Closure and Other Reforms
In 2017, Brian Benjamin advocated for the closure of Rikers Island and co-sponsored bills for various criminal justice reforms.
October 2018: Reimbursement of Campaign Funds for Wedding Party Expenses
Following his swearing-in as lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin reimbursed his campaign account for a payment made to an event venue in October 2018, the same month he and his wife had a wedding party, after the payment was questioned by the New York Board of Elections.
December 2018: Appointment as Chair of Revenue and Budget Subcommittee
Brian Benjamin was appointed chair of the Revenue and Budget Subcommittee in December 2018.
2018: Tenant Advocacy and Genesis Companies Complaints
In 2018, while on the advisory board of Genesis Companies, Brian Benjamin addressed tenant heating complaints despite the company receiving numerous such complaints.
2018: Allegations Regarding "New York 4 Harlem"
In 2018, allegations arose that "New York 4 Harlem" was a front for Brian Benjamin and other officials, raising concerns about campaign finance.
2019: Housing Reform and Jury Service for Felons
In 2019, Brian Benjamin championed housing reform and a bill to allow felons to serve on juries.
2019: Divestment from Private Prisons and Housing Reform
In 2019, Brian Benjamin sponsored a bill to divest from private prisons and supported housing reform legislation.
2019: Alleged Steering of State Grant and Unlawful Campaign Contributions
In 2019, while serving as a state senator, Brian Benjamin allegedly steered a state grant to a nonprofit run by a real estate developer, who in turn allegedly arranged unlawful campaign contributions to Benjamin's comptroller campaign.
December 2020: Championing Police Reform Legislation
In December 2020, Brian Benjamin joined other senators to announce the introduction of legislation that placed significant limits on police no-knock warrants, restricting them to only the most severe circumstances and banning their use for drug searches. He also championed the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act.
2020: Continued Efforts on Prison Divestment
Brian Benjamin's efforts to divest from private prisons continued into 2020.
January 2021: Appointment as Chair of the Committee on Revenue and Budget
Brian Benjamin was appointed as the chair of the Committee on Revenue and Budget in January 2021.
January 2021: Controversy Over NextPoint Board Membership
In January 2021, reports surfaced about Brian Benjamin's board membership at NextPoint, a company led by a controversial figure from the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. This position, along with his stock holdings in the company, drew criticism and protests from progressive groups who cited ethical concerns and conflicts of interest.
February 16, 2021: Qualifying for Matching City Funds and Receiving Endorsements
By February 16, 2021, Brian Benjamin qualified for matching city funds for his comptroller campaign. He also received endorsements from prominent figures like former Governor David Paterson, former U.S. Representative Charles Rangel, and State Senator John Liu.
August 2021: Background Check Prior to Lieutenant Governor Selection
In August 2021, Brian Benjamin underwent a background check as part of the vetting process for his selection as lieutenant governor.
August 26, 2021: Appointment as Lieutenant Governor by Kathy Hochul
On August 26, 2021, Kathy Hochul appointed Brian Benjamin as lieutenant governor of New York following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo.
September 9, 2021: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor
Brian Benjamin was sworn in as lieutenant governor on September 9, 2021, becoming the second Black lieutenant governor in New York State history. This allowed a special election to be held to fill his vacant State Senate seat.
September 2021: Appointment as Lieutenant Governor
Brian Benjamin became the lieutenant governor of New York in September 2021.
2021: Campaign for New York City Comptroller Under Investigation
During 2021, Brian Benjamin's campaign for New York City Comptroller came under investigation for potential fraudulent contributions and misuse of funds.
2021: End of State Senate Term
Brian Benjamin's term in the New York State Senate ended in 2021.
2021: Campaign for New York City Comptroller
Brian Benjamin ran for the Democratic nomination for New York City Comptroller in 2021. He faced competition from several other candidates in the Democratic primary.
March 2022: FBI Investigation and Campaign Finance Scrutiny
In March 2022, news broke that the FBI was investigating Brian Benjamin for potentially funneling fraudulent contributions to his 2021 comptroller campaign. This investigation followed earlier scrutiny regarding his use of campaign funds for travel reimbursements.
April 12, 2022: Resignation from Lieutenant Governor
On April 12, 2022, Brian Benjamin resigned from his position as lieutenant governor of New York after being indicted on federal wire fraud and bribery charges.
December 6, 2022: Dismissal of Wire Fraud and Bribery Charges
On December 6, 2022, a judge dismissed the federal wire fraud and bribery charges against Brian Benjamin, but two counts of falsification of records remained.
February 2024: Death of Key Witness Gerald Migdol
Gerald Migdol, a key witness in the case against Brian Benjamin, died in February 2024, casting doubt on the prosecution's case.
March 2024: Reinstatement of Charges by Appeals Court
In March 2024, an appeals court reinstated the wire fraud and bribery charges against Brian Benjamin, stating that the charges met the legal requirements for a "corrupt quid pro quo."