TROY, N.Y. - Jury selection is underway for the re-trial of former Troy Councilman Michael LoPorto in Rensselaer County Court on Monday.
A mistrial was declared for LoPorto in March, jurors deadlocked after eight days of deliberations, and six weeks of testimony. The judge ordered the case to be retried minutes after the decision.
LoPorto, along with Former Rensselaer County Commissioner Edward McDonough, are accused of taking part in a scheme to steer the selection of a third party candidate in the Working Family's party primary election in 2009 by forging absentee ballots.
The judge granted the prosecution's request for two separate trials for the Troy democrats.
LoPorto faces 29 counts of 2nd-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument for allegedly forging absentee ballots in the 2009 Working Family's party primary election.
The trial for McDonough has not been scheduled yet. He is charged with 38 counts of 2nd-degree Forgery and 36 counts of 2nd-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument.
Both men face up to seven years in prison if found guilty.
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