Dean Del Mastro pleads not guilty to Elections Act charges

Peterborough MP Dean Del Mastro and the official agent from his 2008 election campaign have pleaded not guilty to Canada Elections Act charges.

Del Mastro, who was elected as a Conservative Party MP but now sits in the House of Commons as an Independent, entered the plea today in provincial court in Peterborough, Ont.

• MP Dean Del Mastro donor records seized in election probe
• 5 questions about Dean Del Mastro's election spending

Richard McCarthy, Del Mastro's official agent for the campaign, was not present during the arraignment hearing, but his lawyer, David McFadden, entered the plea on his behalf.

A trial that could last two weeks or more is scheduled to begin June 23.

The commissioner of Canada Elections has accused Del Mastro of overspending during the 2008 federal election campaign.

He is also charged with failing to report a personal contribution of $21,000 to his own campaign, far in excess of the personal contributions limit of $2,100. Del Mastro, meanwhile, has insisted he did nothing wrong.