U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo delivered his verdict exonerating Lander a day after presiding over the one-day trial in Manhattan.
“I find the defendant not guilty,” Ricardo said after he finished reading the extensive analysis of the evidence and reviewing Lander’s testimony.
Outside the courthouse, Lander addressed reporters and reflected on the outcome. Lander, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary, said he was moved by the judge’s “thoughtful, thorough review and ruling in this case.”
“I feel genuinely moved by the rule of law,” Lander said, adding that he considered it a blessing to live in a country where someone can successfully fight the government when wrongfully charged.
The criminal case originated from an incident last September when Lander was arrested during a political demonstration inside a building that houses one of New York City’s immigration courts. The acquittal removes a significant legal overhang from Lander’s election campaign as the June primary approaches.