Lawyers for New York State Assemblywoman Diane Gordon presented their opening statements Thursday morning at Kings County Supreme Court.In 2006, Gordon was allegedly caught on undercover tape offering to help a developer get access to city land in exchange for a $500,000 home in a gated Queens neighborhood. During their opening statements, defense lawyers claimed that Gordon had a genuine interest in developing an empty lot on New Lots Avenue. They said they believe that Gordon is being targeted by the state department because the developer that went undercover has a criminal past and may have taken lesser charges in order to help bring indictment charges against Gordon.The defense also contends that the state department brought the charges against Gordon before they compiled all of their evidence.

Witnesses that may be called include officials from the city?s housing department.Gordon faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the conspiracy charges.