Trial Set for Former State Assemblyman Accused of Corruption

The oft-postponed trial of a labor leader and former state assemblyman indicted on corruption charges will start on March 10, U.S. District Judge Richard Sullivan of Manhattan ruled in a court proceeding yesterday. The trial is expected to last four to six weeks.

Brian McLaughlin, a Democrat of Queens, served 14 years in the state Assembly until he stepped down last year and, in 2006, was indicted on corruption charges for stealing $2.2 million from the government, the New York City Central Labor Council where he was president, his union, and a Little League baseball association. He was among the highest ranking officials at the union, Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Yesterday in court, M r . McLaughlin, who pleaded not guilty to 44 counts of racketeering, embezzlement, conspiracy, and fraud, sat silently and stared straight ahead. He could face life in prison if convicted.