ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The trial for the mayor of the city of Rochester will begin Monday morning.

It’s a trial that could end Lovely Warren's ability to practice law.

What You Need To Know

  • The trial for Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and two campaign assistants begins Monday
  • Political Action Committee Treasurer and current City Finance Director, Rosiland Brooks-Harris, and Warren’s Campaign Treasurer, Albert Jones Jr., are also on trial
  • All three are charged with violating election law and scheme to defraud in the first degree, both are felonies
  • Jury selection begins Monday for the trial that is expected to last more than a month

Warren and two of her campaign assistants are charged with violating election law and scheme to defraud in the first degree – both are felonies.

Political Action Committee Treasurer and current City Finance Director, Rosiland Brooks-Harris, is also on trial, along with Warren’s Campaign Treasurer, Albert Jones Jr. – who is represented by attorney John DeMarco.

“We have around 6,000 pages of documents," said DeMarco.

He and the other defense attorneys will spend the weekend preparing for the trial, which will involve testimony about complicated campaign finance law.

“Essentially, the three defendants are charged with coordination of activities between the committee to elect the mayor and a political action committee that was formed,” said DeMarco.

DeMarco says criminal intent must be proven for a jury to convict.

“I think, clearly, in this case, there is a lack of evidence that anyone intentionally attempted to defraud anyone about anything,” said DeMarco.

The trial is expected to be lengthy, potentially lasting four to six weeks.

Spectrum News 1 has learned the prosecution has a witness list that includes about 80 names.

A larger than normal jury pool is expected.

Roughly 1,200-1,300 people will be called to the Hall of Justice as part of the jury pool due to the publicity surrounding this case and the mayor.

Attorneys are looking for unbiased jurors who do not have opinions about the mayor, her recent loss for reelection, her party, her handling of the Daniel Prude incident and the charges Warren and her husband, Timothy Granison, are facing in an unrelated case.

While the trial will be held in Monroe County at the Hall of Justice, a visiting judge will be at the bench: Judge Thomas Leone from Cayuga County.

The defense has requested that the court utilize an individual jury selection process rather than question jurors in a large group, so a potential juror does not influence or taint the remainder of the jury pool.

If convicted of either of the felony charges, Mayor Warren faces losing her license to practice law. She would also be removed from office.