Six politicians are up for arraignment in a case that alleges a plot to buy a line on New York City's mayoral ballot.
Defense lawyers say that not-guilty pleas are expected from all six today.
The case has spawned several proposals to fight corruption in New York.
State Sen. Malcolm Smith, a Democrat, is accused of scheming to bribe county Republican leaders for the GOP line on this year's mayoral ballot.
The indictment says New York City Councilman Daniel Halloran, a Republican, was in on the plot. And it says two party leaders accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes.
In a separate scheme, the mayor and deputy mayor of suburban Spring Valley are accused of taking bribes to approve a real estate project.
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