SAN DIEGO -- Two San Diego city councilmen indicted on federal charges that they took bribes from a strip club owner who wanted a "no-touch" law repealed said again Thursday that once the facts are known, they will be vindicated.

Michael Zucchet and Ralph Inzunza spoke to reporters outside the federal courthouse following a status conference on their case.

The two, along with recently deceased San Diego City Councilman Charles Lewis, were indicted last Aug. 28 on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Zucchet and Inzunza are also charged with extortion.

Lewis aide David Cowan is charged with making a false statement to the FBI.

Zucchet thanked his constituents for "giving us the benefit of the doubt" for the most part.

Zucchet urged supporters not to judge the case "until all the facts come out."

Inzunza said Lewis' name also will be cleared once the councilmen have their day in court.

"We've been innocent from day one," Inzunza told reporters. "These charges are absolutely false. We are looking forward to getting this over."

Inzunza said he and Zucchet continue to work in their respective districts, doing what they were elected to do.

The status conference before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller was the first hearing on the case since Lewis died Aug. 8.

As the hearing began, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Cook dismissed the indictment against Lewis.

Outside court, Lewis' attorney Frank Ragen said the law required prosecutors to dismiss the charges against the dead councilman.

"I'm sorry that the matter is over because we would like to have been with Charles," Ragen told reporters.

The attorney was asked if the stress of the indictment had anything to do with Lewis' death.

"I don't know the answer to that," Ragen said. "Anytime the United States government comes after you, it has to be a great concern. That's what happened here."

The indictment alleges that Cheetahs owner Michael Galardi, lobbyist Lance Malone and San Diego Cheetahs night manager John D'Intino wanted the "no-touch" provision of San Diego's Nude Entertainment Ordinance repealed, particularly as it applied to Galardi's Cheetahs club in Kearny Mesa.

The indictment alleges that Galardi, Malone and D'Intino paid money to an undercover San Diego police vice detective and the three councilmen to influence them in the performance of their duties.

The councilmen maintain that any money they received were campaign contributions. Galardi and D'Intino have pleaded guilty and are cooperating in the case.

A status conference for the others is set for Nov. 4.

Malone's attorney, Dominic P. Gentile, told the judge he expects to file a motion challenging the legality of wiretaps used in the case by Jan. 14.