The former speaker of the New Brunswick legislature and long-time MLA Frank Branch will stand trial on a series of fraud charges, a Bathurst judge ruled on Friday.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Ronald LeBlanc ruled that Branch will face five charges, including breach of trust, extortion and fraud against the province of New Brunswick, stemming from alleged wrongdoings during his time as general manager of the North Shore Forest Products Marketing Board in Bathurst.

Branch sat alone in the courtroom and showed no emotion as the judge went over the evidence against him.

A preliminary hearing into the allegations against Branch was held in March.

He has maintained his innocence since the beginning. After Friday’s hearing, he declined comment for reporters.

The Bathurst City Police laid the five charges in March 2009 after a lengthy criminal investigation.

Branch served as the Liberal MLA for the northern riding of Nepisiguit for more than 27 years.

During his last session in the house, Branch was the longest-sitting politician in the legislature.

But his long political career began to unravel in 2005, when the wood marketing board he led became the centre of an investigation into alleged misconduct.

Branch left the Liberal caucus in the early days of the investigation to sit as an Independent MLA.

He was fired from the marketing board in 2006 and did not run in the provincial election that year.

Branch has elected to be tried by judge and jury. His next court appearance will be on July 5, when he is scheduled to enter a plea.