NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Friday dropped bribery and fraud charges against former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, citing the death of a cooperating witness against the Democrat who the governor had once chosen to be her second-in-command.

Prosecutors said they could no longer prove the case, after the real estate developer accused of bribing Benjamin died.

Federal prosecutors are dropping a corruption case against former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin. The Democratic politician faced bribery and wire

The feds' decision to drop the case—based on a fresh review of the evidence and the death of a cooperating witness—ends nearly three years of litigation. U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken immediately approved dismissal of the charges.