NJ Corruption Defendant Pushes For Dismissal

A defendant in New Jersey's largest corruption case argued Thursday that charges have been incorrectly filed against him and are part of a conspiracy that helped Gov. Chris Christie win office.

A federal judge in Newark listened to oral arguments in the case of former state Assemblyman Louis Manzo. He's accused of violating federal travel rules, committing mail fraud and failing to report federal offenses by others.

Manzo was a failed Jersey City mayoral candidate when he was arrested in 2009, in a case centering on a government informant posing as a corrupt developer.

Manzo won a legal victory when a federal appeals court ruled he was improperly charged under rules meant for elected public officials. Federal prosecutors have brought new charges.

The judge will rule at a later date.

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