Malcom Smith ‘Corridor of Corruption’ trial underway

The second Corridor of Corruption trial of former state Sen. Malcolm Smith is underway. In June, the judge declared a mistrial after prosecutors failed to turn over recordings in the case to the defense.

News 12 Staff

Jan 7, 2015, 3:37 AM

Updated 3,618 days ago

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The second Corridor of Corruption trial of former state Sen. Malcolm Smith is underway.
In June, the judge declared a mistrial after prosecutors failed to turn over recordings in the case to the defense.
At the center of this portion of the Corridor of Corruption case is former Democratic state Sen. Malcolm Smith's desire to run for mayor of New York City as a Republican.
Prosecutors contend Smith used a member of the Orthodox Jewish community and an undercover FBI agent to pay bribes to some top Republican Party officials in New York City. In return, it's alleged that Smith hoped to get permission to run on the GOP line.
Smith's co-defendant, Vincent Tabone, is the former vice-chair of the Queens Republican Party. It is alleged that he accepted one of those bribes.
During opening statements in a White Plains federal court room, Smith's lawyers claimed the senator was entrapped by the government. They said Smith was unaware bribes were being paid until they had already happened
Tabone's lawyers say the money he received was for legal services and political consulting, which is not against the law.
While the case is focused on allegations involving officials in New York City, it also has implications in the Hudson Valley.
Among the officials charged in this investigation is former Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmine.



She is scheduled to go on trial for alleged corruption later this year.