Police Raid Queens Councilman's Office
NY1, NY
July 10, 2007 Police searched the Middle Village offices of Queens City Councilman Dennis Gallagher Monday in what sources told NY1 Tuesday is an investigation into possible sexual misconduct.
The NYPD and the Queens district attorney would not comment on the investigation.
Gallagher and his staffers were also tight-lipped about the investigation. All inquiries were referred to Gallagher's attorney, Steven Mahler, who said a warrant was issued Monday to search the premises.
"They were looking for evidence of a crime," said Mahler.
But Mahler added that Gallagher has nothing to hide.
“He is, like any public official would be, he’s embarrassed by it,” said Mahler. “It always puts a public official in an awkward position. He has the mood of someone who didn't commit any wrongdoing. He’s going about his business as normal business as best as he can.”
It is still unknown who is alleging sexual misconduct against the Gallagher, who is married with children.
Some of his neighbors in Middle Village said they were stunned by the news of the investigation.
"That's a big shock for me," said one neighbor. "Because I would never even know. It's big shock, that's all I can say."
Gallagher entered the Council in 2002 and is just one of three Republicans in the 51-member body. The 43-year-old is a former investigator for the state crime victims board and had served as the chief of staff to former Council Minority Leader Tom Ognibene.
NY1 also reached out to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for comment about the search. She said she couldn't comment due to the fact that it is an ongoing police investigation.
NYC councilman's office is searched in apparent assault probe
Newsday, NY
July 10, 2007 Police searched the Middle Village offices of Queens City Councilman Dennis Gallagher Monday in what sources told NY1 Tuesday is an investigation into possible sexual misconduct.
The NYPD and the Queens district attorney would not comment on the investigation.
Gallagher and his staffers were also tight-lipped about the investigation. All inquiries were referred to Gallagher's attorney, Steven Mahler, who said a warrant was issued Monday to search the premises.
"They were looking for evidence of a crime," said Mahler.
But Mahler added that Gallagher has nothing to hide.
“He is, like any public official would be, he’s embarrassed by it,” said Mahler. “It always puts a public official in an awkward position. He has the mood of someone who didn't commit any wrongdoing. He’s going about his business as normal business as best as he can.”
It is still unknown who is alleging sexual misconduct against the Gallagher, who is married with children.
Some of his neighbors in Middle Village said they were stunned by the news of the investigation.
"That's a big shock for me," said one neighbor. "Because I would never even know. It's big shock, that's all I can say."
Gallagher entered the Council in 2002 and is just one of three Republicans in the 51-member body. The 43-year-old is a former investigator for the state crime victims board and had served as the chief of staff to former Council Minority Leader Tom Ognibene.
NY1 also reached out to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for comment about the search. She said she couldn't comment due to the fact that it is an ongoing police investigation. .
Detectives search City Councilman's district office
7Online.com, NY
(Middle Village - WABC, July 10, 2007) - Detectives have searched City Councilman Dennis Gallagher's district office in the Middle Village section of Queens as part of an undisclosed, ongoing investigation.
Officials say the investigators arrived at Gallagher's office at 78-25 Metropolitan Avenue around 7 p.m. Monday night.
Authorities say they thoroughly searched the office, but refused to discuss why they were there. A uniformed police officer stood in the doorway as detectives looked for evidence.
The 43-year-old City Council member was not arrested during the search and his attorney, Steven Mahler, said he did not know what it was about.
Gallagher entered the City Council in 2002 and is just one of three Republicans serving.
He was a former chief of staff to Queens Republican Tom Ognibene, who later ran in a primary against Michael Bloomberg.
(Copyright 2007 WABC-TV)
Police raid city councilman's office
Flushing Times Ledger, NY
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
