Politics & Government
Halloran, Smith Plead Not Guilty in Mayoral Election Rigging Scheme: Report
Halloran and Smith contest corruption charges in White Plains federal court.
Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, and state Sen. Malcolm Smith, D-Jamaica, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that they attempted to rig this year's mayoral election, NY 1 reported.
The elected officials and four others, including Queens County Republican Party Vice Chairman Vince Tabone, all contested corruption charges in White Plains federal court.
Halloran and Smith were arrested earlier this month and charged with conspiracy to bribe public officials, wire fraud, mail fraud and extortion.
The FBI discovered through an investigation that Halloran and Smith were allegedly using cash bribes in an attempt to get Smith on the 2013 mayoral ballot as a Republican.
According to the criminal complaint, Halloran was accused of receiving more than $40,000 in bribes for his role in the alleged scheme.
Halloran has denied the charges.
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