ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. -- A motion has been filed by defense attorneys for former Allegheny County coroner Cyril Wecht that they hope will lead to dismissal of federal charges against Wecht.

Wecht is accused of using the public office he once held for personal gain.

Defense lawyers claim the federal case against their client was first launched by the county district attorney for political reasons.

While Wecht said nothing as he left federal court, his lawyers said plenty in their motion.

They allege the search warrants in the federal probe were improperly obtained, and the prosecution case should be tossed as a result.

The defense motion:

• Claims District Attorney Stephen Zappala started the probe for political motives, to silence Wecht in dispute over prosecutions in deaths involving police actions
• Attacks Zappala's financial dealings with the district attorney's old law firm, alleging they may be "closer to criminal" than anything Wecht is accused of, if the same reasoning were used
• Claims an FBI agent filed deliberately false information to get Wecht search warrants

"They could potentially affect the indictment in its entirety. Many of you are familiar with search warrants. I know the public may not be. But if the government illegally seizes evidence, not only is that evidence suppressed, but also any evidence that was derived there from, or obtained as a result of that evidence. We will be moving towards dismissal of the indictment in its entirety," said defense attorney Mark Rush.

Zappala released the following statement Friday afternoon:

"The federal government has indicted Cyril Wecht on multiple charges. It is appropriate that the United States attorney respond to the motion in court.

"I will not dignify his personal attacks with a response at this time. If appropriate, I will address them in the future."

Federal prosecutors will file their formal response to the legal arguments later this month.