SAN DIEGO -- A manager for Cheetahs strip club has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to possess unregulated firearms in connection with the bribery scandal that has rocked San Diego City Hall, 10News reported.
John D'Intino, who worked for Cheetahs owner Michael Galardi, was taken into custody immediately, and will be formally sentenced on Jan. 5.
D'Intino's attorney said in court that he admitted he conspired to corrupt City Council members Ralph Inzunza, Michael Zucchet, and Charles Lewis to relax the "no touch" ordinance at strip clubs. He also admitted to brokering the sale of firearms, including 13 machine guns.
D'Intino said he was working with Galardi to give $5,000 to Lewis, $2,000 to an undercover San Diego police officer and $2,000 in various checks to Zucchet at a fund-raiser, according to 10News.
"Mr. D'Intino has accepted responsibility for his own wrongdoing and he is looking forward to moving on with his life," his attorney said.
The result of plea agreement will be testimony against the council members if and when the case comes to trial, 10News reported.
Meanwhile, another one of Galardi's employees, Lance Malone, is expected to be arraigned Wednesday morning. He is expected to plead not guilty for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and racketeering.
City Council Meets For First Time Since Indictments
The San Diego City Council met for the first time Tuesday since three of its members were indicted on extortion, wire fraud and conspiracy charges.
The meeting started at 10 a.m. and Mayor Dick Murphy said that even though last week was rough, the City Council is ready to move forward.
"And there is no reason to believe that this City Council cannot continue to focus on the challenges this city. I am certainly committed to focusing my attention on city business and I fully expect that this City Council and my colleagues will do the same," Murphy said.
Councilmen Ralph Inzunza, Michael Zucchet, and Charles Lewis were charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud last Thursday.
Inzunza and Zucchet were also charged with extortion.
Inzunza, Lewis, and Zucchet have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are free after each posting a $25,000 bond.
Previous Stories: - August 29, 2003: Council Members Plead Not Guilty To Charges
- August 26, 2003: City Hall Investigation: Is It Over Yet?
- August 26, 2003: Strip Club Lobbyist Gets 63 Calls From Council Offices
- August 12, 2003: Campaign Contributions: What's Forbidden?
- July 18, 2003: Source: Inzunza Key Figure In City Hall Probe
- July 16, 2003: Strip Club Allegedly Bundles Contributions
- July 11, 2003: Testimony: Contributions Reimbursed With Cash
- July 11, 2003: Employees, Relatives Of Strip Club Owner To Testify
- June 13, 2003: Current, Former Council Staffers Testify Before Grand Jury
- June 6, 2003: Former Councilman's 2002 Calendar Missing
- June 6, 2003: Stevens Testifies Before Grand Jury
- May 30, 2003: City Council Staffers Testify Before Grand Jury
- May 22, 2003: Former Councilman Met With Strip Club Lobbyist
- May 21, 2003: Local Strip Club Tied To Mob?
- May 20, 2003: Were Strippers Tipped-Off About Inspections?
- May 20, 2003: Constituents Comment On City Council Investigation
- May 19, 2003: Councilmen Claim They've Done Nothing Wrong
- May 19, 2003: Grand Jury Resumes City Council Probe
- May 18, 2003: Federal Grand Jury Hears Council Member Testify
- May 16, 2003: Strip Club Warrant Details Revealed
- May 15, 2003: Mayor: Despite Raid, Business Of City Continues
- May 15, 2003: 3 City Council Offices, Strip Club Raided By FBI
Copyright 2007 by 10News.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
City Council Meets; Strip Club Manager Surrenders 
