New York State Senator Malcolm Smith is among six people arrested for allegedly trying to rig the Republican race for mayor of New York City. Smith, from Queens, and New York City Councilman Dan Halloran, were arrested by the F.B.I. this morning.
Smith, who briefly served as Democratic majority leader of the senate, is accused of trying to pay bribes to line up the Republican nomination for mayor even though he is a Democrat. Also charged are Bronx County Republican Chairman Joseph Savino, Queens County Republican Party Vice-Chair Vincent Tabone, the mayor of Spring Valley, Noramie Jasmin and the Deputy Mayor Joseph Desmaret.
Barbara Bartoletti, legislative director of the New York State League of Women Voters says tells WAMC’s Brian Shields that this latest incident is more evidence of a statewide culture of corruption.
