Gilles Vaillancourt elects trial by judge and jury

Former mayor faces charges including gangsterism

Image | Gilles Vaillancourt

Caption: Ex-Laval mayor Gilles Vaillancourt is expected to plead to guilty to fraud. (CBC)

Gilles Vaillancourt has elected to stand trial by judge and jury.
The former Laval mayor was in Quebec court today to make his decision known.
Vaillancourt is facing 12 charges including conspiracy, fraud, breach of trust and gangsterism.
In 2013, 37 people were arrested in connection with fraud charges in Laval.
Only two other high-placed officials in the city, Claude Asselin and Claude Deguise, are facing gangsterism charges.
He's set to return to court on Sept. 16.
Vaillancourt was mayor of Laval for 23 years.