New York State Senator Malcolm Smith and New York City Councilman Dan Halloran was arrested on Tuesday regarding an alleged plot to bribe GOP leaders tens of thousands of dollars in order to rig the New York City mayoral race, according to a CBS News report.

Smith, 56, who was arrested along with five other lawmakers connected to the election plot, hoped to utilize the GOP payoffs to make inroads with the party as run for mayor as a Republican, according to reports.

The alleged plot was referred to as an "unappetizing smorgasbord of graft and greed" by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. "[Smith] tried to bribe his way to a shot at Gracie Mansion."

Since being elected in March 2000, Smith has served as both the New York state Senate's majority and minority leader.

Bharara said Smith was responsible with drawing up the alleged gameplan but it was Councilman Halloran, 42, who "quarterbacked" the plot in locating party chairmen who would be open to receiving bribes.

Halloran told an undercover agent that he wanted to get his "mortgage situation resolved" and to be named deputy police commissioner if Smith were elected mayor, according to the government.

According to a criminal complaint, Smith agreed to bribe as many as five leaders of GOP committees in each of New York City's five boroughs during meetings with a cooperating witness and the undercover FBI agent, who was posing as a powerful real estate figure.

Also arrested on Tuesday were Bronx County Republican Party Chairman Joseph Savino and Queens County Republican Party Vice Chairman Vincent Tabone, who were promised to be paid $80,000 in cash for their political favors.

In a statement, Smith claimed he is innocent and will be vindicated.

"Malcolm Smith is a dedicated public servant who has served both the state of New York and his constituents in an exemplary fashion," Smith's attorney, Gerald L. Shargel, told CBS. "He steadfastly denies the allegations that are contained in the complaint."

Tags: politics