ALBANY, N.Y. -- Republican state Sen. Robert Ortt on Thursday pleaded not guilty to three fraud charges that, if he's found guilty, could end his political career.

"I am not resigning. I believe the truth will come out and I will be exonerated and vindicated," said Ortt, R-North Tonawanda.

Hours later, his predecessor in his Western New York-based 62nd Senate District, fellow Republican George Maziarz also pleaded not guitly to five fraud counts.

"George Maziarz is not guilty. He's plead not guilty and he looks forward to being vindicated in the courts," said Joe LaTona, Maziarz' attorney.

The charges brought by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman stem from the alleged misuse of campaign funds. Ortt is accused of using money to pay for his wife's no-show job. Prosecutors allege Maziarz use money to funnel payments to a former aide who was accused of sexual harassment. Both men are accused of using a pass-through entity to hide the source of the money.

"I am saddened and I'm sickened at the baseless charges put against me by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman," Ortt said.

In a statement, Schneiderman said:

“No-show jobs and secret payments are the lifeblood of public corruption. New Yorkers deserve full and honest disclosures by their elected officials – not the graft and shadowy payments uncovered by our investigation. These allegations represent a shameful breach of the public trust – and we will hold those responsible to account."

Ortt's colleagues in the Senate, including Majority Leader John Flanagan, are standing by him.

"I believe in our system of jurisprudence and I have great faith in Rob Ortt. He's a great friend, a good colleague," said Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, R-Smithtown. "I'm going to continue to work with Rob. I'm sure he's going to be back here next week."

If Ortt loses his seat, Republicans would lose their working majority of 32 members. That majority hinges in large part on Brooklyn Democrat Simcha Felder, who sits in the Senate with the GOP conference. He says Ortt's charges change nothing.

"The only thing that makes sense would be for me to reamin and caucus with the Republicans," Felder said.

Ortt's 62nd District covers all of Orleans and Niagara counties and a slice of Monroe County, near Rochester.

Ortt and Maziarz are due back in court on May 8.