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Cahill sues, alleging Republican dirty tricks

AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Independent Timothy Cahill has filed a lawsuit against former operatives who recently defected from his campaign, saying they conspired with local and national Republicans to undermine his candidacy for Massachusetts governor.

The text of the lawsuit was not immediately available, but in a statement Thursday, Cahill said former members of his staff "intended to use confidential information they obtained" while working for him to benefit Republican rival Charles Baker.

The lawsuit comes less than a week after Cahill's running mate, Paul Loscocco, quit and endorsed Baker. He said Cahill could no longer win and is filling a spoiler's role that allow Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick to gain a second term.

Senior adviser John Weaver and campaign manager Adam Meldrum resigned a week before Loscocco, making the same claim.

All three formerly worked on the presidential campaigns of Sen. John McCain.

Baker says he hasn't seen the lawsuit. His campaign issued a statement calling on Cahill "to come clean about improper activities in his campaign."

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