Democratic Senator and GOP Power Brokers Caught In Mayoral Bribe Twist

As Bizarre as the NYc 2013 race for mayor would get, the 'Wilson Pakula Gate' that involved Democratic senator Malcolm Smith, Queen Republican council member Dan Halloran and other GOP officials are the hype of the political process doomed to failure.

State Sen. Malcolm Smith and City Councilman Dan Halloran were both arrested by federal officials Tuesday morning after they were indicted on corruption and conspiracy charges to pave the way for Smith to run in the Republican primary, or as a sole candidate, for mayor. Four other officials, including the Republican Party chairman in the Bronx Jay Savino, were also charged with bribery.

"As alleged, Senator Malcolm Smith tried to bribe his way to a shot at (mayoral residence) Gracie Mansion. Smith drew up the game plan and Councilman Halloran essentially quarterbacked that drive by finding party chairmen who were wide open to receiving bribes," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said today.

“Senator Smith drew up the game plan and Republican Councilman Halloran essentially quarterbacked it by finding party chairmen who were wide open to receive bribes,” Bharara said. “For his efforts, Halloran, a former New York City police officer, also harbored dreams himself of becoming deputy police commissioner in a Malcolm Smith administration.”

Bharara showed reporters a chart, illustrating the co-conspirators and their ties to Smith, who allegedly tried to "bribe his way to City Hall." “You have all those people circling around -- and then of course you have `Malcolm in the Middle,' ” said Bharara, in a deadpan homage to the long-running Fox comedy. "Not every state Legislature has this level of criminality exposed."

According to the NY Times, the complaint described envelopes of cash trading hands in Manhattan hotel rooms and restaurants and payments of thousands of dollars.  Smith, according to the indictment, told the cooperating witness that he would be willing to pay bribes in return for Savino's (Bronx GOP) and Tabone's (Queens GOP) support. The party bosses initially demanded $75,000 in exchange for their support, but Savino eventually accepted $15,000 cash and Tabone accepted $25,000 cash for the bribe, the indictment states.

Councilman Halloran, meanwhile, allegedly offered to give the cooperating witness $20,000 in City Council discretionary funds. In exchange, the witness allegedly offered to give Halloran cash for his reelection bid. "That's politics, that's politics, it's all about how much," Halloran is quoted in court papers telling the cooperating witness. "Not about whether or will, it's about how much, and that's our politicians in New York. They're all like that." Halloran allegedly added: “You can’t get anything without the f--king money.” 

"Money is what greases the wheels," he continued, "good, bad, or indifferent."

In conversations Colby Hamilton had with political observers and operatives in Queens who know both Smith and Halloran, Smith’s alleged role came as no surprise. In the indictment itself, Smith is described as the scheme’s leader who “drew up the game plan” that Halloran “quarterbacked.”

Gerald Shargel, a lawyer for Smith, said in a statement that his client is a “dedicated and highly respected public servant and he steadfastly denies these charges.”

 A spokesman for Halloran posted on Halloran's Facebook page the following statement: "The councilman denies the allegations and looks forward to clearing his name. When the full story comes out he is confident that he will be vindicated."