Feds drop charges against former New York lieutenant governor

(The Center Square) — Federal prosecutors have dropped bribery and conspiracy charges against New York’s former Democratic lieutenant governor, citing the death of a key witness in the case.

In a filing to U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken late Friday, prosecutors said the death of real estate magnate Gerald Migdol — who was expected to testify in the case — meant that they could not go forward with bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who was once seen as a rising star in the state Democratic party.