Zaccaro Pleads Not Guilty to Extortion, Soliciting of Bribe
- Share via
NEW YORK — John Zaccaro, the husband of 1984 Democratic vice presidential candidate Geraldine A. Ferraro, pleaded innocent today to charges of bribe solicitation and attempted extortion in connection with the granting of cable television franchises.
Ferraro sat in the front row of the courtroom as her husband’s lawyer entered the plea.
The shakedown allegedly occurred on Oct. 27, 1981. It has been reported that a grand jury heard testimony that Zaccaro sought $1 million.
Outside the court, Zaccaro, who was released on his own recognizance, said, “I want to say in plain English that I am simply and completely innocent.”
Ferraro said, “If I had not run, John Zaccaro would have been John Zaccaro, real estate broker . . . he would not have been John Zaccaro, center of national attention, husband of Geraldine Ferraro, who ran for vice president.”
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox twice per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
