Queens Councilman Faces Ethics Probe, Too...
July 13, 2007 -- The city Department of Investigation has been looking into whether Queens City Councilman Dennis Gallagher - who's currently being probed over a sex-assault allegation - misused his government office for political gain, The Post has learned.
Several sources familiar with the department's query said its investigators have interviewed a cluster of Gallagher staffers over claims he was inappropriately using aides and his offices for political purposes.
Specific allegations were not available.
The interviews with staffers for the councilman, who represents Middle Village, took place about three months ago, according to the sources.
It was unclear yesterday what the exact scope of the DOI case was, or whether it's still ongoing.
A DOI spokeswoman said the agency, which looks into misconduct allegations involving city employees, does not confirm whether it's investigating someone.
Gallagher's lawyer, Stephen Mahler, did not return several messages left for him regarding the DOI case.
But two sources dismissed the case as related to a feud Gallagher has had with the Juniper Park Civic Association. Its members and the councilman have been battling since the 2005 elections.
The sources described JPCA head Bob Holden as a driving force of Gallagher opposition, with one claiming he's "out to get" the councilman.
Asked about the DOI probe, Holden declined comment.
But he said Gallagher "acted like a thug" with the civic group when it opposed some of his activities in the neighborhood.
Gallagher, one of the council's three Republicans and a married father of two, has been under scrutiny this week after a sex-assault allegation became public.
Through his lawyer, he has strongly denied committing a crime.
He has been keeping a low profile since police executed a search warrant on his district office on Monday.
Law-enforcement sources said Gallagher, 43, met a woman Sunday evening at his regular haunt, Danny Boy's bar, which is near both his home and district office.
The two drank together, and went to Gallagher's district office, the sources said.
Within hours, the woman called police saying she had been assaulted, the sources said.
Investigators, however, have concerns about inconsistencies in details she provided to authorities, the sources said.
The case is expected to go before a grand jury as soon as next week.
Sources close to Gallagher have insisted whatever might have happened that night was consensual and note that he has not been charged with any crime.
