NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- New York City Comptroller Brad Lander pleaded not guilty on Friday to misdemeanor charges of trespassing and blocking federal operations at 26 Federal Plaza.

Lander was arrested in September when he and other elected officials tried to gain access to detention cells while trying to monitor the Trump administration's immigration enforcement activities.

Judge Henry Ricardo released Lander as he awaits trial, instructing him not to break any laws while he was out. Lander joked that he promises to drive under the speed limit.

Some of the other officials arrested took a deal in which charges will be sealed if they don't get arrested again in the next six months.

Lander says he rejected that deal to increase transparency about what's happening at 26 Federal Plaza t

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