Republican Assemblyman Greg Ball held a news conference Tuesday, accusing his opponent, state Sen. Vincent Leibell, of planting a mole on his staff to provide inside information about the campaign.

Ball claims Leibell hired Rob DiFrancesco, Ball's chief of staff, to pass on information that could be used against Ball in the 99th Assembly District race.

The assemblyman points to e-mail messages he says prove DiFrancesco used his access to sensitive political and personal data and turned that information over to Democrats and other Ball opponents.

In addition, Ball wants the FBI to step up an investigation of allegations he made last year, accusing Leibell of publishing a newspaper article, which incorrectly claimed Ball violated an order of protection brought by a former girlfriend after they broke up.

Leibell, however, insists his opponent?s allegations are baseless. He says Ball is seeing conspiracies that do not really exist.

Ball's official opponent in next week's Republican primary is former Brewster Mayor John Degnan. Despite being a Republican, Degnan has the Democratic nomination in the 99th District and is challenging Ball for the GOP nomination. Leibell admits he is backing Degnan.

DiFrancesco denies all allegations made by his former boss, and he says Ball is engaging in character assassination.