Aragon's lawyers to pursue dismissal in fraud caseAttorneys: Former senator tied to controversy surrounding firing of U.S. attorneysALBUQUERQUE — Attorneys for former state Sen. Manny Aragon are trying to lay the groundwork to dismiss a political corruption indictment against him as a product of the Bush administration's targeting Democrats across the nation.
Aragon's attorneys on Tuesday filed a motion tying his prosecution to the political controversy that erupted around the firing of eight U.S. attorneys beginning in late 2006. Among them was the U.S. attorney for New Mexico, David Iglesias, who left office last February.
Aragon and four other defendants are accused of bilking the state out of $4.2 million during the construction of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Courthouse.
Aragon was indicted last year on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud and money laundering, and is accused of pocketing $700,000 from the courthouse scam.
But his attorneys argue the U.S. Justice Department targeted Aragon for impermissible political reasons. They are seeking an evidentiary hearing "during which compelled testimony can provide further insight into many of the already known facts."
Aragon's defense argues that the "evidently long-sought indictment of Senator Aragon" occurred soon after the firing of Iglesias, whom they describe as "a central figure" in the national controversy.
Sante Fe & Northern New Mexico News 
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