New York, NY (WBEN) Governor Kathy Hochul told a New York City radio host Wednesday she was caught off guard when her lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin, resigned after his arrest in a campaign finance case.
"It was a surprise," Hochul told Brian Lehrer on WNYC. "But it was clear to both of us he could not continue as lieutenant governor," adding she wants New Yorkers to have complete confidence in government.
Hochul said Benjamin filled out the background check forms and everything was clean. "I made the best decision I could based on the information I had at the time," noted Hochul. She said she was not aware of any investigations into Benjamin. "Had we been aware of that there would have been a different outcome" in her lieutenant governor selection.
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As far as a replacement, Hochul said that would take time. "I pledged we were going to change the culture in Albany, and I won't let any setbacks distract us from that," said Hochul.