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Queens Councilman Dennis Gallagher is now free on bail after surrendering to police Friday morning.Gallagher turned himself in to detectives at the 112th Precinct just after 7 a.m. following his indictment Thursday night.
He was arraigned on ten counts, including rape and sexual assault charges. He was released on $200,000 bail.
If convicted he could face up to 25 years behind bars and would be required to register as a sex offender.
In reponse to the indictments, Gallager announced Friday that he is stepping down from his leadership roles in the council.
Gallagher's wife and brother joined the father of two in court Friday. His lawyer entered not guilty pleas for Gallagher, who has maintained his innocence since the accusations surfaced.
"I will be vindicated," said Gallagher as he left the courthouse.
“He denies engaging in any illegal conduct. He has from the very beginning.” said his lawyer, Stephen Mahler. “He really took the extraordinary step of testifying in front of the grand jury, despite the advice of council, because he felt that way. He’s very confident that at a trial, when all the evidence comes out, that his position will be born out.”
The alleged rape occurred in his Middle Village office on July 8th.
The DA says the victim told prosecutors she met Gallagher at a local bar where he offered her a ride home but brought her to his office instead where he raped her.
Sources tell NY1 that the woman, a grandmother who works at a local church, made a 911 call that night after the alleged attack and went to the hospital to be examined. The next day investigators raided Gallagher's office, looking for evidence.
The councilman told the grand jury Wednesday that he is guilty of adulterous sex with the woman, but that the sex was consensual and occurred after several drinks.
However, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown says the evidence points to rape.
“The charges are clear that there was no consent in this case,” said Brown. “The issue I’m sure will be tried in an open court before a jury and it will ultimately be for that jury to make its decision.”
He is next expected in court on September 28th.
Council Speaker Christine Quinn says the allegations against Gallagher are troubling, and has referred the matter to the council's standards and ethics committee.
Gallagher was elected to the City Council in 2001. He is just one of three Republicans on the council and has kept a low profile until now.
According to a council spokesman, Gallagher's introduced six pieces of legislation since 2002; none of those bills passed. He has, however, been a sponsor 351 bills introduced by other council members. And he was outspoken when the council voted to raise property taxes and implement a law banning smoking in bars.
Before being elected to the council, Gallagher worked as a chief of staff to Republican Councilman and Minority Leader Thomas Ognibene, and was an investigator on the state Crime Victims Board.
Term limits require Gallagher to the leave office in 2009, unless he is forced to leave before then.
Sources Say Queens Councilman Indicted For Alleged Rape
