In response to the arrest of Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin, Rosemary Rivera, Co-Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York, issued the following statement:
“We are concerned about the charges against Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin. We believe in the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise and that Mr. Benjamin deserves due process. At the same time, this story is part of a disturbing pattern of pay-for-play politics in Albany that must end. We deserve ethical leaders who will put people over profits and prioritize the needs of everyday New Yorkers over the wants of the wealthy and well-connected. Though we didn’t need it, this is further demonstration of why we must have aggressive campaign finance reform and ethics laws in Albany. It also makes clear why we need to subject deals like the Buffalo stadium billionaire giveaway and the 485w luxury housing subsidy to the strictest public scrutiny.”