First moves in the Mariano chess match

1. Four of those indicted for bribing Mariano plead not-guilty and vow a court battle.
   
   
2. The muted reponse of fellow Council members is in contrast to historical precedents. (Speculations given as to why.)
   
   
3. Cops confiscate Mariano's guns, as licenses are revoked after federal indictment -- it was also the family's request, probably for peace of mind.
   
   
4. The Daily News points out that an indicted politician can still have staff with outstanding ethics. (It contrasts this with behavior of local officials who tipped off Mariano to some charges against him, even while passing the information along to the feds.)