Queens Councilman May Get Plea Deal

Queens Councilman Dennis P. Gallagher who is accused of raping a woman could get off with a slap on the wrist if he agrees to a plea agreement.

Under the proposed deal, Mr. Gallagher would have to plead guilty to sexual misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor, but would not face jail time, the people familiar with the case said.

A grand jury indicted Mr. Gallagher in the summer on 10 counts of rape, criminal sexual acts and assault. In January, a State Supreme Court justice dismissed the indictment after finding that prosecutors had unfairly prejudiced grand jury members. A new indictment is possible.