NEW YORK (AP) — New York state Sen. Malcolm Smith, a New York City councilman and four other politicians are facing charges in a public corruption probe.
The FBI says Smith and City Councilman Dan Halloran were arrested early Tuesday at their homes.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara says in a statement that Smith "tried to bribe his way" into a shot at the New York City mayoral race.
Bharara says Smith "drew up the game plan" and Halloran found party chairmen who were open to receiving bribes.
He says the six officials "built a corridor of corruption" from Queens and the Bronx to Rockland County and Albany.
Representatives for the politicians did not immediately respond to comment requests.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.