Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien will have his day in court — April 6, 2009 — to face two criminal charges relating to the 2006 mayoral election campaign.

His lawyer, Jack Edelson, was in court Wednesday along with Toronto Crown Attorney Scott Hutchison. The mayor was not in court; he was next door at his city hall office, and he made no comment.

While agreeing on a trial date, they also agreed the mayor would be tried by a judge alone, and that the judge should be someone from outside Ottawa.

The trial is scheduled to last nine weeks.

While running for mayor, O'Brien is alleged to have offered to help his opponent, Terry Kilrea, get a job on the National Parole Board if Kilrea pulled out of the election race.

After an eight month Ontario Provincial Police investigation, O'Brien was charged with pretending to have influence with the Government of Canada or with a minister of the government, contrary to Sec. 121 of the Criminal Code.

O'Brien was also charged with negotiating an appointment, influencing or negotiating appointments or dealing in offices, contrary to Sec. 125 of the Criminal Code.

The allegations have not been proven in court.