Halloran Denies Charges in Alleged Mayoral Rigging Scheme

Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, has put out a statement following his arrest on allegations of attempting to rig the mayoral election.

Halloran and state Sen. Malcolm Smith, D-Jamaica, were arrested at their homes Tuesday morning for allegedly using cash bribes and fraud in an attempt to get Smith on the ballot for mayor as a Republican.

Vince Tabone, vice chairman of the Queens County Republican Party, was also netted in the bust.

In a statement, Halloran denied the charges.

"The council member denies the allegations and looks forward to clearing his name," the statement read. "When the full story comes out, he is confident that he will be vindicated."

Halloran and Smith are charged with conspiracy to bribe public officials, wire fraud, mail fraud and extortion.