By Sarina Trangle
Former Bronx GOP boss Joseph Savino, who pleaded guilty in an election-rigging scheme and now faces 30 years in prison, said he had a guide in the plot: a quarterback from Queens.
Savino, who admitted accepting a bribe in exchange for helping a Democratic state senator secure the Republican line in the 2013 mayoral elections, told jurors in White Plains federal court Tuesday that his involvement, negotiations and execution came at the direction of former Northeast Queens City Councilman Dan Halloran.
The fellow Republican’s role was so pronounced, Savino and prosecutors contended, that he demanded Savino proclaim his love after receiving $15,000 in cash and delivered paperwork between Savino and the financiers because Savino did not have their contact information.
“He said he was the quarterback,” Savino said of Halloran.
Halloran was among a trio of Queens political operatives arrested last spring in what prosecutors described as an elaborate ploy by state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) to buy borough GOP leaders’ consent to run on the Republican line in his failed mayoral bid.
As a registered Democrat, Smith needed three of the five county GOP organizations to sign a Wilson-Pakula certificate authorizing him to be included on the GOP ticket.
Halloran is accused of helping to broker Smith’s deals while accepting kickbacks.
At Halloran’s invitation, Savino said he met with the councilman, an undercover FBI agent named Raj who he believed was a wealthy developer and a cooperating government witness posing as Raj’s business partner at Sparks Steak House Feb. 1.
The developers indicated they wanted to see Smith get the Wilson-Pakula and were willing to pay for it, Savino said.
“I’m willing to spend what it takes,” Raj said, according to transcripts of conversations played by prosecutors.
Savino indicated his interest, replying, “Within reason, obviously, I’m not … from Queens,” transcripts show.
In court, Savino explained he was referring to the Queens GOP’s reputation of “asking for a lot when issuing a Wilson-Pakula in the past.”
The conversations played by prosecutors centered on how various county GOP chairmen could be convinced to sign the document, Savino said.
Transcripts of the conversation show him and Halloran allegedly hypothesizing about what favors could convince Manhattan GOP boss Dan Isaacs to sign the Wilson-Pakula.
“I believe him being hired to do some legal work,” Savino said before trailing off, transcripts show.
“Would be enough,” Halloran interjected, according to transcripts.
Savino said he left understanding he would get $30,000, funneled through attorney retainership documents for tax, real estate and other legal work.
On Valentine’s Day, Savino said he returned to Sparks with Halloran, drinking until Raj arrived.
Prosecutors showed a video of him in Raj’s car. It cropped close to Savino’s face as he stuffed $15,000 in cash in his pocket and Raj responded by kissing Savino’s face.
Savino said he expected to get the second $15,000 when the Wilson-Pakula was done.
The amorous actions continued.
Later that day, Halloran texted Savino, “Tell me you love me,” according to a text message exchange prosecutors presented.
“I am f—ing freaking, u are my f—ing valentine,” Savino replied, according to the evidence.
Savino explained that he was grateful to Halloran for arranging the payment.
“I was happy because I had $15,000. I had just been retained,” he said.
The government then projected on a screen before jurors copies of the retainer contract and a form the federal government requires for cash transactions of more than $10,000, while Savino detailed which sections he initially filled out and which he left blank because he said he did not know Raj’s contact information.
“I gave it to Dan Halloran,” he said.
A few weeks later, Savino contended Halloran returned completed retainer paperwork and asked him to return $5,000 so it could be given to him via a check and the reporting form could be avoided.
In March, Savino said he prepared a bill for Raj because regular statements are legally required of attorneys. A copy of the document displayed before jurors included pictures and descriptions of properties Savino said he thought the developers might be interested in.
Savino said he viewed the proceeds of the bill as a bribe, but he also answered in the affirmative when Vinoo Varghese, Halloran’s attorney, asked, “That was real work, you did?”
Varghese inquired about the role and rewards of political consultants and honed in on Savino’s acknowledgement that the vote required before county parties could sign a Wilson-Pakula for Smith did not happen in any borough.
The defense attorney said in his opening statement that Halloran’s power-broking was legal and he was acting as a consultant.
Savino wiped away tears when describing his political trajectory during cross-examination.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.
