ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. -- The following report by Channel 4 Action News reporter Bob Mayo first aired on Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m. on March 17, 2006.

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Former Allegheny County coroner Cyril Wecht's defense "dream team" of former federal prosecutors is dwindling.

There are also prosecution developments in the works that could jeopardize his remaining defense team.

Former federal prosecutors J. Alan Johnson and Cynthia Eddy have won a judge's OK to pull out from Wecht's defense against charges he used the coroner's office for private gain.

A remaining Wecht attorney -- Mark Rush -- said the reason is financial.

"As all of you know, and I believe Channel 4 reported, it is very expensive to defend oneself when the federal government investigates you," Rush said.

Channel 4 Action News revealed Wecht's defense fund letter pleading for donations, warning that his legal defense all the way through a prolonged trial will be "astronomically expensive."

That's despite his owning this home in Milford, Conn., a home in Boca Raton, Fla., and his home in squirrel hill with a combined value of $1.5 million.

"We all know that we have mortgages, we pay mortgages. Dr. Wecht is no different than the rest of us. He has financial obligations well beyond those of all of us. And it's taken it's toll financially and emotionally," Rush said.

That leaves Wecht with attorneys Rush and former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh -- both of Kirkpatrick and Lockhart -- to defend him.

Or does it?

U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan now claims a conflict of interest could wipe out Wecht's remaining defense team.

She has revealed that a person targeted in a separate federal probe claims to have significant information to help her file new charges against Wecht.

It turns out Wecht's lawyer Mark Rush is that person's lawyer, too -- which could disqualify him and Thornburgh from both jobs.

"I am very troubled that they would no try to preclude Dr. Wecht having counsel of choice in this matter. We intend to vigorously contest any move, any motion on their part to conflict myself from this case, or the law firm of Kirkpatrick and Lockhart," Rush said.

Prosecutors don't want to say the name of the mystery person in open court. They'll file it with the judge in sealed court documents.

Rush said he and federal agents have known of that person's statements for more than a year, and he doesn't believe they amount to any conflict for the defense.