https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/10/02/rochester-ny-mayor-lovely-warren-indicted-campaign-finance-charges/3594568001/

Rochester, New York, mayor indicted on 2 felony campaign finance charges

Gary Craig

Brian Sharp

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren has been indicted on two felony campaign finance charges, Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley announced Friday.

The first charge is for first-degree scheme to defraud; the second is an election law offense for illegally coordinating activities and expenditures.

The grand jury indictment is connected to Warren's 2017 mayoral re-election campaign. Warren has adamantly refused any wrongdoing in the matter.

Warren will be arraigned at 4 p.m. Oct. 5 in front of Cayuga County Judge Thomas Leone. She did not provide immediate comment Friday.

If convicted of the felony charges, Warren would be removed from office under state law. The maximum sentence would be 16 months to four years in prison. While Warren would be unlikely to be incarcerated, her pension could be forfeited if the matter is determined to be a crime related to public office, and she also could lose her law license.

The announcement of criminal charges is not a conviction but adds another major crisis for the already embattled mayor. Her term ends next year.