SAN DIEGO -- Las Vegas lobbyist Lance Malone has pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with an alleged scheme to bribe three San Diego councilmen into repealing the city's "no touch" nude dancing ordinance.
Malone (pictured, right) has been charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, extortion and interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
He was booked and released and is expected to post a $250,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 23.
Malone was indicted last week with his boss, Cheetahs owner Michael Galardi (pictured, left).
Also indicted were John D'Intino, Cheetahs San Diego manager, San Diego city councilmen Michael Zucchet, Charles Lewis, Ralph Inzunza, and Lewis aide David Cowan.
D'Intino, 56, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to possess unregistered weapons.
The defendant agreed to go into custody immediately pending a Jan. 5 sentencing hearing. He faces a maximum of five years behind bars and a $250,000 fine on each count.
The councilmen, Galardi, Malone and D'Intino were charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Inzunza, Zucchet, Galardi, Malone and D'Intino were also charged with extortion. In addition, Galardi, Malone and D'Intino were charged with interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
Cowan was charged with making a false statement to the FBI.
In a separate indictment, D'Intino and Charles Tappe were charged with conspiracy to possess machine guns, silencers and pistols with obliterated serial numbers.
Inzunza, Lewis, Zucchet and Cowan have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are free after each posting a $25,000 bond. Galardi is free after posting a $250,000 bond, and Tappe is in custody in Arizona.
All were ordered to return to court Oct. 23 for a motions hearing.
Previous Stories: - September 2, 2003: Strip Club Employee Admits To Conspiracy
- September 2, 2003: Council Meets For First Time After Indictments
- 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 23, 2003: Calendars Reveal Meetings With Strip Club Lobbyist
- June 13, 2003: Current, Former Council Staffers Testify Before Grand Jury
- June 6, 2003: Former Councilman's 2002 Calendar Missing
- 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 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
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Lance Malone Pleads Not Guilty
