During the White Plains federal corruption trial of Halloran (R-Queens), defense lawyer Vinoo Varghese tried to shoot down the government’s claims that the pol in 2012 offered to dole out $80,000 in no-show city consulting work on a Queens YMCA to the wire-wearing undercover agent in exchange for funds to boost what would be a failed congressional run by Halloran.
Instead, Varghese tried to paint Halloran as a cash-strapped candidate who tried to use the agent for campaign funds.
“Isn’t it true, your fears came true? You got played by Mr. Halloran,” Varghese asked.
The agent, known to jurors as “Raj,” shot back, “He took cash from us. He took checks from us. Those are crimes, sir.”
When questioned whether he believed Halloran is guilty, the agent said, “I believe Mr. Halloran is very guilty of the charges against him.”
Halloran allegedly pocketed $18,300 in cash bribes and $6,500 in straw-donor campaign donations for agreeing to steer $80,000 of council discretionary funding for the scheme, the feds say.
Halloran is also accused of pocketing $20,500 in cash bribes for masterminding cross-party negotiations for a failed $200,000 bid to get Smith — one of the state’s top Democrats — the Republican line in last year’s mayoral race.