Counsel for former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider whether a heightened quid pro quo standard is necessary in bringing certain corruption cases.

“Time and again, this Court has intervened when government overreach threatens to chill political activity that is core to our democracy and protected by the First Amendment,” reads the writ of certiorari submitted by Barry Berke, Dani James and Darren LaVerne of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel.