San Diego councilmen charged with bribes

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Three San Diego City Council members were indicted Thursday on charges they accepted bribes from a strip club owner.

The federal indictment capped a two-year investigation into allegations the men took payoffs in exchange for softer adult entertainment regulations in the city.

Councilmen Charles Lewis, Michael Zucchet and Ralph Inzunza will make their initial court appearances Friday. They told The San Diego Union-Tribune they are innocent.

Also charged was Michael Galardi, the Las Vegas-based owner of the Jaguar and Cheeta's chain of clubs.