LONDON, April 30 (Reuters) - An Israeli private

investigator wanted by the U.S. for allegedly carrying out a

"hacking for hire" campaign at the behest of an ExxonMobil ( XOM )

lobbyist lost his fight on Wednesday against extradition

from Britain.

Amit Forlit, 57, is facing charges of wire fraud, conspiracy

to commit wire fraud and computer hacking relating to his

alleged targeting of environmental activists, his lawyers said

in January, confirming Reuters' earlier reporting.

Lawyers representing the U.S. authorities said Forlit was

alleged to have directed the hacking of activists, with

documents then passed to a lobbying firm and subsequently leaked

to the media.

Forlit, who was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport last

year, argued he should not be sent to the U.S. because - as his

charges relate to climate change litigation against Exxon - his

prosecution is "unquestionably political".

His objections to extradition were rejected by Judge John

McGarva, who said in his written ruling that U.S. prosecutors

simply alleged that Forlit was a "hired gun".

"The highest he can put his case is that he is

collateral damage in the climate change litigation," McGarva

said. He added that Forlit's prosecution "may be dropped by the

new administration" of President Donald Trump.

Forlit, whose bail was extended, has 14 days to challenge

the decision at the High Court. His lawyer Edward Grange told

reporters he expected the case to end up at the High Court.

Forlit's lawyers said in court filings for January's hearing

at Westminster Magistrates' Court that Forlit was charged with a

conspiracy to hack individuals and entities involved in or

associated with environmental activism.

His lawyer Rachel Scott said the hacking was "alleged to

have been commissioned by DCI Group, a lobbying firm

representing ExxonMobil ( XOM )".

In November, Reuters reported that Forlit was wanted by the

U.S. Department of Justice in connection with an espionage

campaign targeting environmentalists seeking to hold Exxon

legally accountable for its impact on climate change.

Exxon previously said it "has not been involved in, nor are

we aware of, any hacking activities" and that, if there were

hacking involved, "we condemn it in the strongest possible

terms".

DCI Group previously said the allegations that it

commissioned the hacking operation were false, adding it directs

all of its employees and consultants to comply with the law.