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Dan Halloran

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Dan Halloran
Dan Halloran
Member of the New York City Council
from the 19th district
In office
January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2013
Preceded byTony Avella
Succeeded byPaul Vallone
Personal details
Born (1971-03-16) March 16, 1971 (age 55)
New York City, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Fordham University, Queens College, St. John's University School of Law

Daniel J. Halloran III (born March 16, 1971) is a former member of the New York City Council. He was the first adherent of Theodism ever elected to the council and one of the first neo-Pagans to hold an elected office in the US.[1]

In 2013 the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York indicted Halloran for his role in a corrupt scheme to steer New York Republican county committees to support Malcolm Smith's campaign for the 2013 New York City mayoral election. He was convicted in a jury trial July 2014 and sentenced to ten years in prison. He was released from prison ahead of schedule in 2020 due to COVID-19 related concerns.[2][3][4]

In 2025, Halloran was arrested and indicted for possession and transportation of child sexual abuse material. He has plead not guilty. As of May 2026 this case awaits trial.[5][6][7]

Personal life

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Halloran was raised in a "traditional Irish household" and was a karaoke host and an attorney prior to running for office.[8] He earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from St. John's University Law School and a B.A. in history and anthropology from the City University of New York. He worked in the New York City Police Department and several District Attorneys' offices before entering private practice as a lawyer in a firm with offices in Queens and Long Island.

City Council service

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Halloran was elected to the New York City Council from the 19th district, in Queens, on November 3, 2009,[9] succeeding Tony Avella, who made a failed bid to become the Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York City.[10] He was endorsed by the Republican, Libertarian, Independence and Conservative parties.[11] He represented nearly 200,000 residents. In September 2010, he was named one of City Hall's "40 under 40" for being a young influential member of New York City politics.[12]

Halloran sat on the Fire & Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Land Use (including Landmarks, Public Siting & Maritime Uses sub-committee), Public Housing, and Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services committees.[13]

Political views

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Halloran is a registered Republican, a fiscal conservative and libertarian. He opposes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("ObamaCare").[14] He appeared as a regular commentator on the Strategy Room on Fox News[15] where he discussed matters ranging from healthcare reform to government spending, off-shore oil exploration, and other conservative and libertarian principles.[16]

He was purportedly asked to run for U.S. Congress in the 2010 election cycle in the 5th District of New York by Republican, Libertarian, and Conservative leaders.[17] Despite being courted by the NRCC and Representative Peter T. King to run, he withdrew from consideration, citing the economic crisis in the New York City and state budgets and the need to set the city's finances in order before he could consider taking on a run for any other office.[18]

Dan Halloran became the first elected official in New York City to publicly criticize the Park51 (Cordoba House) project near Ground Zero of the World Trade Center site, stating, "If we want a nation of peace... then peace comes with understanding. And they need to understand that this is sacred ground to New Yorkers."[19] "New York City is the greatest city in the world [a place of religious tolerance, but that tolerance] starts when you say 'I understand your pain, and I am not going to inflict more on you.'[20]

Allegation of work slowdown

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Halloran attracted widespread attention when he stated that five municipal employees had told him of a slowdown in clearing snow following the December 2010 North American blizzard in New York City. The slowdown was allegedly organized to put Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a bad light. His comments precipitated multiple investigations.[21][22]

In its final report on the alleged slowdown, the New York City Department of Investigation said

During the days following the December 26th blizzard, Councilman Daniel Halloran alleged in the newspapers and on television that DSNY personnel had staged and executed a slowdown. His allegations about a slowdown became a City, national and international story; investigations and hearings ensued. However, the statements given to DOI by Mr. Halloran were strongly disputed by the two DOT personnel Mr. Halloran said he spoke with about a slowdown, and Mr. Halloran asserted attorney-client privilege as to three other workers he said he spoke with from DSNY. In toto, Mr. Halloran’s information about City employee statements contributed no actual evidence about a possible slowdown.[22]

Religion

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Halloran's study of the Viking Age and field research in Ireland led him to develop an interest in Germanic paganism, and eventually to Theodism,[14] which has attracted widespread attention. He is a member of the New Normannii Reik, a branch of Heathenism.[23] The Village Voice described Halloran as "America's First Elected Heathen";[1] another Reconstructionist Neopagan adherent, Jessica Orsini (who is Hellenic), had previously been elected to the city council of Centralia, Missouri in 2006.[24]

Halloran's religion became an issue during his campaign for a City Council seat after it was revealed that he was an adherent of Theodism. On his group's website, Halloran offered the following descriptions of his beliefs: "We believe in and honor the Gods and Goddesses of the North, spirits of the land, and the memories of our ancestors"[8] and described his group as "a cultural, religious and martial organization; dedicated to reviving the folkways of the Norman peoples of Northern Europe."[25] Odin, Tyr and Freyr are among the deities worshipped by the group. Halloran also stated that "It is our hope to reconstruct the pre-Christian religion of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European peoples, within a cultural framework and community environment." When asked about his beliefs, Halloran said, "I was raised a Roman Catholic[23] right here in Auburndale. I was baptized into the Catholic Church and took my confirmation at 13. I attended Jesuit schools. Then and now, faith is a cornerstone of my life." Halloran served as legal counsel and incorporating attorney for the New York City Pagan Pride Project.[23]

State Senator Frank Padavan stated that he felt Halloran's religion should not be an issue: "We have every religion under the sun in this district... It's all here; so what? As long as everybody is properly motivated, so be it." These sentiments were echoed by the Queens County Republican Party chairman, Phil Ragusa, who additionally described Halloran as "a traditional person" and "a regular guy".[8] Halloran lectured and discussed his theology on a national level.[14]

The Village Voice reported on Halloran's two years in office in the paper's November 30 – December 6, 2011 edition in a report entitled "America's Top Heathen". The report pointed out that when Halloran was elected in an off-year campaign, he was the "'First Atheling' or prince, of his own Theodish tribe, called New Normandy. He had 'thralls' who swore their allegiance to him... he led his flock, about 100 people at its height, in their polytheistic celebration of the gods".[26] However, on election night, November 4, 2009, Halloran thanked his law partner, promising, "The next time you give me advice to take a website down, I'll do it", referring to the now defunct New Normandy website, which had contained "images of Halloran in medieval garb, hoisting drinking horns and other regalia that he [Halloran] had apparently found embarrassing."[26]

2012 Congressional campaign

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See also: United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 2012 § District 6

On March 26, 2012, Halloran announced that he would campaign for a vacant US Representative seat in the newly redistricted 6th congressional district. He was the only Republican nominee, and was cross-endorsed by the New York State Conservative Party and was their nominee.[27] He was also designated by the Libertarian Party at their state convention in April 2012.[28]

In the November 2012 general election, he lost to the Democratic candidate, Grace Meng.[29]

In September 2014 the Federal Election Commission notified the Halloran 2012 committee of its decision to seek administrative termination of the dormant committee.[30]

Conviction for political corruption

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On April 2, 2013, Halloran was arrested along with Democratic New York State Senator Malcolm Smith, Bronx Republican Party Chairman Joseph J. Savino, Queens Republican Party Vice Chairman Vincent Tabone, Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin, and Spring Valley Deputy Mayor Joseph Desmaret, on federal corruption charges. The complaint by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the New York FBI field office alleged that Smith attempted to secure a spot on the Republican ballot in the 2013 New York City mayoral election through a complex scheme involving the bribery of several county Republican Party leaders in New York City. As part of the scheme, Halloran allegedly facilitated the Smith bribes and also accepted over $18,000 in cash from an undercover agent and a cooperating witness.[31][32][33] On May 1, 2013, Halloran announced that he would not seek re-election for his City Council seat.[34]

On July 29, 2014, Halloran was convicted of taking bribes, orchestrating payoffs, and participating in the scheme to help Democrat Smith to run for mayor on the 2013 ballot as a Republican. He was convicted both of acting as a liaison between Smith and Republican Party officials and of taking at least $15,000 in bribes for designating about $80,000 in New York City funds to a nonprofit entity, allowing the money to be embezzled through a no-show job.[2][3]

On March 4, 2015, Halloran was sentenced to ten years in prison for the bribery conviction and automatically disbarred from the practice of law.[35][36]

His convictions have been upheld by both the Southern District of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.[37][38]

In 2020 the Federal Bureau of Prisons granted an early release to Halloran amid concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

2025 arrest for Child Sexual Abuse Material possession

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According to an affidavit by a Homeland Security Investigations agent, a customs inspection of Halloran's iPhone at Miami International Airport revealed a folder with over a thousand files that including several videos depicting sexual abuse of prepubescent children. Searches also discovered his conversations on Telegram messenger with an individual selling files. The affidavit states that Halloran confessed to ownership of the iPhone and the child sexual abuse material on it.[5][6][39] A grand jury later indicted Halloran on charges of possession and transportation of child pornography.[5] Halloran plead not guilty, and as of May 2026 is seeking suppression of evidence on grounds of his Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights.[40]

References

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  1. ^ a b Pillifant, Reid. "'Heathen' Halloran Captures Council Seat". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on November 10, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
  2. ^ a b Santora, Marc (July 30, 2014). "Ex-New York Councilman Is Convicted in Corruption Case". New York Times. p. A24. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Riley, John (July 29, 2014). "Dan Halloran, Former NYC Councilman, Convicted of Bribery". Newsday. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Donlevy, Katherine (2020-06-18). "Halloran released early from prison". Queens Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  5. ^ a b c Gothner, Chris (2025-04-01). "Disgraced ex-NYC councilman caught with child sex abuse videos at Miami airport, feds say". WPLG. Archived from the original on 2025-07-20. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  6. ^ a b "AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF CRIMINAL COMPLAINT" (PDF), United States of America v. Daniel J. Halloran (Court Filing), no. 1:25-cr-20160, Docket 1, S.D.F.L., 2025-03-31, retrieved 2026-05-05 – via RECAP (PACER current docket viewPaid subscription required)
  7. ^ "United States v. Halloran, 1:25-cr-20160 - CourtListener.com". CourtListener. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  8. ^ a b c Kelly Fincham (October 30, 2009). "Irish American Pagan Attorney Running for City Council in Queens". irishcentral.com. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
  9. ^ Mimoni, Victor G. (4 November 2009). "Halloran Outlasts Kim in 19th District". qns.com. Queens Courier. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Queens GOP Endorse Councilmember Dan Halloran in Race to Fill Open 6th Congressional District; The Queens Courier". Schneps Publications. 2012-03-26.
  11. ^ Rhoades, Liz (November 5, 2009). "Halloran Beats Kim in Council Race". qchron.com. Queens Chronicle. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  12. ^ Rising Stars 40 Under 40: Dan Halloran Archived January 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, City & State N.Y., September 28, 2010.
  13. ^ "New York City Council Committees". Legistar.council.nyc.gov. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  14. ^ a b c Pike, Sarah M. (October 15, 2009). "Religion Dispatches — A Pagan Republican Comes Out of the Broom Closet". Religion Dispatches. University of Southern California. Archived from the original on 2010-09-05. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  15. ^ "'Drill, Baby, Drill'". Video.foxnews.com. May 3, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ Katz, Celeste (2010-04-02). "Halloran's Profile". New York: Nydailynews.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  17. ^ "City Hall News report on Halloran". Archived from the original on 2010-04-21. Retrieved 2010-04-04.
  18. ^ Chris Bragg (2010-05-18). "Halloran Out For Possible Ackerman Challenge". Cityhallnews.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  19. ^ Trinko, Katrina (August 22, 2010). "We Haven't Forgotten". National Review. Archived from the original on 2019-07-21. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  20. ^ Millar, A. (August 27, 2010). "The Ground Zero Mosque Protest: What the MSM Chose to Ignore". Europe News. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  21. ^ Buettner, Russ; William K. Rashbaum (January 26, 2011). "Evidence Is Elusive on Charge of a Blizzard Slowdown". The New York Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on 2025-02-24. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  22. ^ a b "Investigation into Allegations of Possible Slowdown by Department of Sanitation During Blizzard Of December 2010" (PDF). nyc.gov. New York City Department of Investigation. June 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-11-09. Retrieved 2026-05-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  23. ^ a b c Rafferty, Brian M. "Pagan 'King' Has Council GOP Nod". Queens Tribune. Archived from the original on November 3, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
  24. ^ Orsini, Jessica. "Interview With Openly Pagan Elected Official" Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine, The Witches' Voice
  25. ^ Dana Clark Felty (October 10, 2009). "Pagans Say They're Nothing to Be Afraid Of". onlineathens.com/. Archived from the original on October 12, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
  26. ^ a b Thrasher, Steven (November 30, 2011). "America's Top Heathen". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on December 1, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  27. ^ "NY1 coverage of Halloran". Archived from the original on 2014-10-31. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  28. ^ "Libertarian Republican". libertarianrepublican.net. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  29. ^ Orovic, Joseph (2012-11-08). "Grace Meng defeats Dan Halloran for 6th CD". Queens Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  30. ^ Chacona, Debbie (2014-09-08). "Letter to Nancy H. Watkins, Treasurer, Halloran 2012" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ Staff (2013-04-02). "Manhattan U.S. Attorney And FBI Assistant Director-In-Charge Announce Federal Corruption Charges Against New York State Senator Malcolm Smith And New York City Council Member Daniel Halloran" (Press release). United States Department of Justice, US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  32. ^ "Signed Complaint — Southern District of New York" (PDF). justice.gov. United States Department of Justice. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  33. ^ Wilson, Michael; Rashbaum, William K. (April 2, 2013). "Lawmakers in New York Tied to Bribery Plot in Mayor Race". New York Times. p. A1. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  34. ^ Cullen, Terence M. (May 1, 2013). "Halloran Dropping Re-election Bid Amid Federal Charges". qns.com. Queens Courier. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  35. ^ Lucas, Lisa; Brown, Steven Rex (March 4, 2015). "Former City Councilman Dan Halloran Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 23, 2016..
  36. ^ "MATTER OF HALLORAN, 131 AD 3d 74 - NY: Appellate Div., 2nd Dept. 2015". scholar.google.com. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  37. ^ "US v. Halloran, Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit 2016". scholar.google.com. 2016-10-20. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  38. ^ "Halloran v. United States, Dist. Court, SD New York 2020". scholar.google.com. 2020-02-06. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  39. ^ "Former New York Councilman Indicted on Child Pornography Charges". justice.gov. Archived from the original on 2026-05-24. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  40. ^ "Suppress – #63 in United States v. Halloran (S.D. Fla., 1:25-cr-20160) – CourtListener.com". CourtListener. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
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