A half a dozen arrests were announced today in New York involving 56-year-old Democratic Senator Malcolm Smith, 42-year-old Republican New York City Councilman Dan Halloran and another four individuals, including Bronx Republican chairman Jay Savino and Queens GOP vice chairman Vincent Tabone.

The case against Senator Malcolm, who has been state Senate Minority and Majority leader since his election in 2000 alleges that he conspired with Councilman Halloran to buy his way onto the Republican ticket for the Mayoral election this year.

Party leaders Savino and Tabone, it is alleged, accepted bribes, and in trade, Smith would find himself with a spot on the GOP mayoral ticket later this year. Halloran was the go-between according to reports.

In order to be on the GOP ballot, Smith needed to gain the backing of three of the borough’s five party leaders as a non-party candidate. According to the 28-page complaint, Halloran was to recieve $20,500, Tabone and Savino recieved $40,000 with another $40,000 to come. The bribes were masked as accounting and legal services.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who made the announcement, called public corruption in New York, at a news conference today, “downright pervasive,” saying, “a show-me-the-money culture seems to pervade every level of New York government.”

An FBI agent, undercover, playing the part of a wealthy real estate developer, taped conversations, a cooperating witness and wiretaps were used in putting together the case.

Halloran told reporters outside of his house just after his early morning arrest, that he had no idea why he was being arrested. He added, “I’m sure the truth will come out once I have an opportunity to find out what’s going on.”

Smith’s lawyer Gerald Shargel said that his client denies any wrongdoing, and stated, “Malcolm Smith is a dedicated public servant who has served both the state of New York and his constituents in an exemplary fashion. He steadfastly denies the allegations that are contained in the complaint.”

All six are to appear in federal court today.