New York State Senator Malcolm Smith was arrested for allegedly trying to bribe the Republican party to get on the GOP mayoral ballot. (Credit: New York Daily News/Getty Images)
New York State Sen. Malcolm Smith and City Councilman Dan Halloran were arrested at their homes Tuesday morning in connection with a bribery scheme involving the upcoming mayoral race, according to the FBI.
The two politicians allegedly tried to get Smith on the GOP ballot in the mayoral race by offering money to Republican county chairmen.
Two Republican county chairmen, Joseph Savino of the Bronx and Vincent Tabone of Queens, have also been arrested.
Prosecutors are expected to detail the charges at a news conference later today.
Also arrested Tuesday were Noramie Jasmin, the mayor of Spring Valley in Rockland County, and her deputy mayor, Joseph Desmaret.
FBI Assistant Director George Venizelos said in a statement, “Public officials should obey the law. As alleged, these defendants did not obey the law; they broke the law and the public trust. There is a price to pay for that kind of betrayal.”
