OTTAWA — The trial of Liberal senator Raymond Lavigne got underway Monday, two years after he was charged with fraud over $5,000, breach of trust and obstruction of justice.

The RCMP alleges Lavigne misappropriated Senate funds and directed one of his employees to undertake work unrelated to his Senate duties. Lavigne’s cottage neighbours, Carol and Neil Faulkner, allege they found one of his staff members cutting down trees with a chainsaw on their property in Wakefield, Que.

The Senate asked the Mounties to investigate Lavigne after a committee investigation found the senator had used the upper chamber’s resources for personal gain. The Senate asked him to pay back nearly $24,000.

Lavigne is expected to plead not guilty to the criminal charges.

His lawyer, Dominic St-Laurent, spent Monday presenting pre-trial motions and is expected to continue Tuesday.

Lavigne, dressed in a dark grey suit and accompanied to court by his wife Carmen and retired Sen. Michel Biron, refused to comment Monday.

Though Lavigne is barred from sitting in the Senate and has been expelled from the Liberal caucus, he still collects a $132,300 salary.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

althia.raj@sunmedia.ca