Man accused of bilking Bloomberg wants case tossed

A political operative charged with swindling more than $1 million from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is trying to persuade a judge to throw out the case.

John Haggerty’s lawyer and prosecutors are scheduled to make arguments Tuesday before a Manhattan judge. Haggerty has pleaded not guilty to grand larceny and other charges.

Prosecutors say the Republican political consultant got Bloomberg to give the money to the state Independence Party for an effort to guard against election fraud during the mayor’s successful 2009 re-election campaign. Prosecutors say Haggerty laundered the money and used it to pay for a house and other personal expenses.

Haggerty’s lawyers say he did his job, and Bloomberg got the ballot security he wanted.

Bloomberg has declined to comment on the case.