NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Brian Benjamin, the New York Lieutenant Governor has been charged with bribery as well fraud. He allegedly directed state funds to a group that was controlled by a realty developer and a donor to his campaign.

Brian Benjamin, a Democrat was named the number one in state government. According to unannounced indictments, Brian Benjamin was the No. 2 state official appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul in August. He directed $50,000 in state grants to the organization during his time as a senator for Michigan in 2019.

According to the indictment which didn’t identify the developer or organization it controlled, Benjamin received thousands of dollars from the developer.

Benjamin turned himself in to the authorities Tuesday morning according to a spokesperson from Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office. He is charged with bribery as well wire fraud and falsification records.

Benjamin’s representative did not respond immediately to our request for comment.

Hochul was the former lieutenant governor of Governor Andrew Cuomo. He took office in January after Cuomo quit following an investigation that revealed he had sexually harassed eleven women. Hochul may face difficulties in her bid to be reelected in November because of the accusations against Benjamin. For the Democratic nomination to be a gubernatorial candidate, she faces opposition from Jumaane William (New York City) and Tom Suozzi (Long Island).