A federal grand jury has indicted three San Diego city councilmembers on charges that they took illegal contributions in return for helping to repeal the no-touching rule at local strip clubs. Ralph Inzunza, Michael Zucchet and Charles Lewis were charged, along with Cheetahs nightclub owner Michael Galardi, his lobbyist Lance Malone and Cheetahs night manager John D'Intino in the 39-count indictment.

“Today’s indictments are the culmination of three years of extremely tedious investigation,” Dan Dzwilewski, special agent in charge of the FBI in San Diego said at a press conference last week. “One of the indicators of a successful investigation is the return of an indictment, but we do not view this as a cause for celebration, but rather a solemn reminder that public corruption does exist in the city of San Diego.”

The GLBT community has endorsed all three of the councilmembers and Inzunza was named “Friend of the Year” in San Diego’s 2002 Pride celebration. All three are charged with wire fraud and conspiracy. Inzunza and Zucchet have also been charged with extortion.

The full indictment included information about phone conversations and meetings with the owners and managers of the strip clubs, which portrayed Malone as the representative for the strip club. Inzunza is also referred to as being a key part of the investigation and is quoted in the indictment as saying, “Oh, I’m speaking to the great Lance Malone, this is your humble servant Ralph Inzunza.”

It is believed that Inzunza brought both Lewis and Zucchet into the fold. According to the indictment, Lewis asked for $5,000, while in conversations Inzunza said he thought it would take $3,000 for Zucchet to support their plan. The indictment also states that Zucchet said he didn’t have any problems taking the money, as long as it would appear that the money came from somewhere besides the strip club.

According to campaign records, though both Inzunza and Lewis received contributions linked to the club, Zucchet did not.

“I have not betrayed the trust of my friends, my supporters or my constituents,” Zucchet said at a press conference last week, with his wife and four-month-old daughter standing at his side. “I am completely innocent of the charges alleged by the government. No bribes, no quid-pro-quo, no crime. I am a friend of law enforcement. I have never been arrested or charged with any crime in my life. Now I find myself in this unbelievable situation. I will fight these charges. I will fight them to the bitter end to prove my innocence.”

Lewis also maintained his innocence, stating, “When the indictment came down and I read through it and I heard some of the statements from the government it disturbed me.”

Lewis’s comments seemed directed more at his constituents, noting that he grew up in the 4th District, that his family still lives there and that he has worked at City Hall since 1991.

He added, “I would never take a bribe. I am not corrupt. I care too much about my district to sell it out. I wish some of these government people would have come to the 4th Council District. I want you to take a ride through the 4th Council District and see what we have done. Why don’t you come out from these buildings and see the community before charging their leadership with taking a bride.”

Despite the indictments, it is business as usual at City Hall. This week, the entire council returned to work following a three-week legislative recess.