SAN DIEGO -- The federal trial of two San Diego city councilmen accused of taking bribes from a strip club owner in exchange for votes to repeal a "no-touch" ordinance will begin in mid-2005, a judge said Thursday.

While refusing to set a firm date, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller said there was "no reason" the anticipated three-month trial of the city councilmen, Ralph Inzunza and Michael Zucchet, Ipictured, left), couldn't take place in May or June.

The judge said, however, he would consider defense requests for a late July or August start.

Zucchet and Inzunza, along with recently deceased Councilman Charles Lewis, were indicted on Aug. 28, 2003 on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Zucchet, Inzunza, Cheetah's strip club owner Michael Galardi and Las Vegas lobbyist Lance Malone also were charged with extortion.

Galardi and a former night manager at the Kearny Mesa Cheetah's club, John D'Intino, pleaded guilty and are cooperating with federal prosecutors.

A superseding indictment handed up last month accuses Inzunza (pictured, right) of organizing the alleged conspiracy.

The newer indictment also alleges public officials took more than $70,000 in bribes to undo San Diego's "no-touch" nude dancing ordinance.

Inzunza, Zucchet, Malone and former Lewis aide David Cowan -- who is accused of making a false statement to the FBI -- deny the charges.

The indictment alleges Galardi, Malone and D'Intino paid more than $30,000 to an undercover San Diego police vice detective, and the councilmen, to influence them in the performance of their duties.

According to the newer indictment, Inzunza told Malone that Zucchet "was good on the issues" and arranged a meeting for Malone and Zucchet.

At a meeting a week later, Malone gave Zucchet checks totaling $6,750 from several people, including Malone, Galardi and D'Intino, according to the indictment.

Inzunza and Zucchet maintain that any money they received were campaign contributions. Malone has also said that any monies were reported legally.

Malone's attorney, Dominic Gentile, is expected to file a motion by Jan. 14 challenging the legality of 100,000 wiretaps used in the case.