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SAN DIEGO, CA – Three San Diego City Councilmembers are the subject of a federal investigation. FBI agents served warrants and delivered subpoenas Wednesday at the offices of Michael Zucchet, Ralph Inzunza and Charles Lewis. According to published reports, the investigation might be related to search warrants also served Wednesday at adult night clubs called Cheetas. The clubs are located in Las Vegas and San Diego (Kearny Mesa).

Councilmen Indicted
In City Hall Corruption Probe

SAN DIEGO, CA – (8-29-03) A federal grand jury investigating three San Diego City Councilmembers handed down indictments Thursday. Michael Zucchet, Ralph Inzunza and Charles Lewis (photos left to right) are all charged with wire fraud and conspiracy. The three Councilmembers allegedly accepting bribes from the owner of Cheetahs, a local strip club. Information will be updated as it becomes available.

UPDATE: According to U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, Carol Lam, the indictment alleges that the Councilmembers " agreed to be corruptly influenced ... to support measures they knew were designed to advance the repeal of the "no touch" provision, and employed methods designed to conceal information, such as the true proponents and financial backers of the proposal." U.S. Attorney Lam also indicated that, " as part of the scheme, the Councilmembers would conceal, disguise and fail to disclose material information."

Indictments were also issued against Michael Galardi (owner of Cheetahs), Lance Malone (lobbyist), John D'Intino, and David Cowan (aid to Councilman Lewis).

In addition to the wire fraud and conspiracy charges, Zucchet, Inzunza, Lewis, Galardi, Malone and D'Intino were charged with extortion.

Councilmen Plead Not Guilty

SAN DIEGO, CA – Three San Diego City Councilmembers were arraigned on wire fraud and conspiracy charges Friday. In federal court, Michael Zucchet, Charles Lewis and Ralph Inzunza (photos left to right) all pleaded not guilty. A grand jury indicted the three for allegedly accepting money in exchange for their participation in a scheme that would modify strip club laws.

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D'Intino Pleads Guilty
SAN DIEGO, CA - One of the defendants in the city hall corruption probe, Cheetahs manager, John D'Intino, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. This comes days after three city councilmembers pleaded not guilty to the same charges. In his plea, D'Intino admitted to agreeing with co-defendents Michael Galardi and Lance Malone to caused the city councilmembers to disguise and fail to disclose material information to the City of San Diego, its City Council and its citizens.
Malone Arraigned
SAN DIEGO, CA - Lance Malone, a lobbyist for Cheetahs owner, Michael Galardi, was arraigned in federal court Wednesday. Malone pleaded not guilty to charges related to the city hall corruption probe.
Galardi Pleads Guilty
SAN DIEGO, CA - Cheetahs owner Michael Galardi pleaded guilty Monday to one charge related to the city hall corruption probe. In a plea agreement, Galardi admitted to conspiring with John D'Intino and Lance Malone in a scheme intended to corrupt San Diego City Councilmen, Michael Zucchet, Ralph Inzunza and Charles Lewis (photos left to right). He admitted to making payments to the councilmen through "straw" contributors, allegedly for their help to change existing no touch laws for strip clubs. Galardi remains free on bail.
Councilmembers Found Guilty
SAN DIEGO, CA - (7-18-05) Two San Diego City councilmembers, Michael Zucchet (photo left) and Ralph Inzunza (photo right), were found guilty related to charges that they took money in exchange for help changing laws related to strip clubs. The pair were convicted on conspiracy charges as well as multiple counts of wire fraud and extortion. Both have been suspended from office and will forfeit office when the verdicts are upheld. Charges against a third councilmember, Charles Lewis were dropped after he passed away last year.
Zucchet Acquitted
Inzunza, Malone Sentenced
SAN DIEGO, CA - (11-10-05) In a very unusual move Thursday, San Diego District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller overturned the jury's conviction of former San Diego City Councilmember Michael Zucchet (file photo above left). Zucchet was acquitted on all but two charges. Those charges could be retried at a later date. Also on Thursday, fellow defendants, former San Diego City Councilmember Ralph Inzunza (file photo above right) and Las Vegas lobbyist Lance Malone were sentenced. Inzunza received 21 months in prison and Malone 36 months. The men were convicted in an alleged scheme of bribes for political assistance repealing certain strip clubs regulations.
Galardi Sentenced
SAN DIEGO, CA - (3-22-07) Cheetahs owner Michael Galardi was sentenced Thursday to 15 months in prison, and then 3 years supervised release following. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $30,000. According to the US Attorney's office, after Galardi pleaded guilty to conspiracy, he cooperated with the government in their prosecution of the other defendants.


	Under Investigation