American Notes NEW YORK CITY

In 23 years on the New York City police force and 18 years in Congress, Mario Biaggi received ten decorations for wounds suffered in the line of duty and overcame a runaway horse and several government investigations. Now the Bronx Democrat may be facing the toughest threat yet to his survival: last week he was indicted on federal charges of bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Biaggi, 69, is accused of accepting Florida vacations from former Brooklyn Democratic Leader Meade Esposito in return for lobbying on behalf of a financially troubled Brooklyn ship-repair company. If convicted, Biaggi faces up to 32 years in prison and Esposito, 80, a maximum of 27 years.

The indictments added new momentum to the 15-month-old New York corruption scandal. At least 13 officials have been indicted or have received jail terms. More than two dozen others are under investigation.