Two New York lawmakers and several other state political figures have been indicted for a corruption scheme aimed at rigging New York City’s upcoming race for mayor. State Senator Malcolm Smith, a Democrat, is accused of enlisting the help of New York City Councilman Dan Halloran, a Republican, to bribe GOP officials so that Smith could run as their candidate. Preet Bharara, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, unveiled the indictment.

Preet Bharara: “The charges we unsealed today demonstrate, once again, that a show-me-the-money culture seems to pervade every level of New York government. At the heart of the allegations is a sitting Democratic senator from Queens, Malcolm Smith, who believed he could, and should, be the mayor of New York City, and who, in the service of that ambition, tried to bribe his way to a shot at Gracie Mansion. As the complaint describes, Senator Smith drew up the game plan, and Republican Councilman Halloran essentially quarterbacked it by finding party chairmen who were wide open to receive bribes.”

Others charged include Bronx Republican Party Chair Jay Savino and Queens Republican Party leader Vincent Tabone, who are accused of accepting a bribe of $40,000.