(WHAM) – Mayor Lovely Warren and two former officials from her 2017 reelection campaign were arraigned Monday afternoon on charges related to campaign finance misconduct.
Charges were announced against the three at a news conference Friday afternoon, including scheme to defraud and violating election law.
Warren, along with Albert Jones Jr. and Rosiland Brooks Harris, were each charged with first-degree scheme to defraud and violation of Election Law 14-126(6). Both counts are Class E felonies. If convicted, each person could face 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison, or a range of sentencing options from probation to restitution.
Cayuga County Judge Thomas G. Leone presided over the arraignment proceedings. Leone was brought in from outside the greater Rochester area to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest, Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley said Friday.
Warren walked into the Hall of Justice Monday afternoon alongside her attorney, Joe Damelio. He pleaded not guilty on her behalf in court.
Damelio said his client maintains she did not intend to violate the law, did not knowingly violate the law, and is ready to begin the process to move toward a trial.
“It’s our position they will not be able to meet their burden of proof at the time of trial,” Damelio said.
Damelio added he is concerned that recent protests calling for Warren’s resignation could have impacted grand jurors.
There is no estimated timeline for the trial, but Doorley suggested it could be a lengthy process due to the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions imposed on courts as a result.
–13wham