1:56 AM EDT, August 4, 2007
NEW YORK - A city councilman asked to be temporarily removed from his committee assignments while he contends with charges of raping a woman in his office hours after they met in a bar, the city council speaker said.
Councilman Dennis Gallagher pleaded not guilty Friday after a grand jury indicted him on multiple rape and assault charges. In testimony before the grand jury earlier this week, the councilman, a married father of two, acknowledged an encounter with his 52-year-old accuser but said it was consensual.
"He concedes that it was morally bad conduct on his part, but he absolutely and vehemently denies any criminal wrongdoing," said his lawyer, Stephen R. Mahler.
Gallagher's accuser told authorities the councilman offered to drive her home after they met in the bar on July 8, but instead took her to his Queens district office, where he attacked her.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown called the allegations "troubling _ particularly because they involve the actions of a public official who has a special responsibility to uphold and obey the law."
Gallagher, elected to the council in 2001, is one of three Republicans in the 51-member body. He lives in the Middle Village section of Queens with his family, according to the council's Web site.
Council Speaker Christine Quinn said Friday that Gallagher had requested to be temporarily relieved of his committee duties. On Thursday, Quinn described the allegations against Gallagher as "deeply troubling" and said the council's Standards and Ethics Committee would weigh the case.
If convicted, Gallagher faces up to 25 years in prison. He was released on $200,000 bail and was scheduled to return to court Sept. 28.
