City Councilman Halloran Seeks To Have Bribery Charges Dropped

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York City Councilman Daniel Halloran wants bribery charges against him dismissed.

Halloran, a Republican from the 19th District, filed a motion this week claiming that the laws cited in a federal corruption indictment don't apply to the allegations against him.

He is under indictment with state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) on charges of trying to fix the 2013 New York City mayoral race. He has defended his actions.

Halloran allegedly schemed with Smith to bribe Republican leaders in an effort to win Smith a spot on the city's mayoral ballot.

But Halloran said the indictment does not actually charge him with trying to get Smith the nomination.

Rather, he said, it charges that he tried to get GOP permission for Smith to seek the nomination. He said that is a step removed from the nomination and is not prohibited by the bribery statutes.

Prosecutors said they will respond in court papers.

Halloran also has been subjected to an investigation by the City Council, into allegations that he accepted payoffs in exchange for promising to allocate a company up to $80,000 in council money for his district.

He also has been investigated on allegations that he has dated a 23-year-old intern and a $30,000-a-year aide. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn called the allegations tantamount to sexual harassment, but Halloran said his personal relationships have nothing to do with his council office.

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