The FBI says it has arrested New York state Sen. Malcolm Smith and a New York City councilman as part of a public corruption probe.

(L-R) NYC Councilman Dan Halloran, State Senator Malcolm Smith
(L-R) NYC Councilman Dan Halloran, State Senator Malcolm Smith (WNYW TV)
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The agency says Smith and City Councilman Dan Halloran were arrested without incident at 6 a.m. Tuesday at their homes.

The New York Post reports the pair planned to rig the New York City Mayoral election in November. The plan was to get Smith, a Democrat, on the Republican ballot and were paying out bribes.

As he was arrested, Halloran told the Post "I have no idea" why he was being arrested. Smith had no comment.

The FBI also raided the homes of Bronx Republican Chairman Joseph Savino and Queens GOP Vice Chairman Vincent Tabone who were both arrested for accepting bribes and agreeing to put Smith on the ballot.

Also charged are: Bronx County Republican Party Chairman Joseph Savino; Queens County Republican Party Vice Chairman Vincent Tabone; Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin; and Spring Valley Deputy Mayor Joseph Desmaret. It's unclear how they are involved.

Representatives for the politicians nor the FBI did not immediately respond to comment requests.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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