San Diego, CALIFORNIA

Two councilmen, Michael Zucchet and Ralph Inzunza, were convicted of corruption, wire fraud, conspiracy and extortion. Both were Democrats, as was the third councilman, Charles Lewis, who was indicted on the charges but died of natural causes before the case could be brought to trial.

CHARGES: The politicians conspired with a strip club owner to ease restrictions on strippers. Charges included conspiracy, wire fraud, and extortion. The jury also convicted Las Vegas "lobbyist" Lance Malone, who was working for the strip club owner, Michael Galardi, who pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution. Zucchet had been acting mayor after Mayor Dick Murphy's resigned in the middle of an investigation of the $1.4 billion shortfall in the city's pension fund that is facing court takeover. Also found guilty

MORE trials are expected. Another defendant in the case, former Clark County Nevada Commissioner Lance Malone, was found guilty of wire fraud and conspiracy. "Monday's verdict is not good news for those involved in the other half of the case in Las Vegas. A very similar political corruption case is set to go to court in January." Four former Clark County Nevada Commissioners will go to court in January in a very similar political corruption case involving Michael Galardi.