The former mayor of Bathurst will face trial on blackmail and misconduct charges after pleading not guilty in the local court on Wednesday morning.
Robert "Bobby" Bourke resigned in July 2021 after the ABC's 7.30 program revealed he was the subject of a police investigation into an alleged attempt to blackmail a fellow councillor.
Councillor Jacqui Rudge allegedly received an anonymous letter in March 2020 demanding she resign from the Bathurst Regional Council, otherwise details about her mental health would be exposed publicly.
Mr Bourke is facing one charge each of blackmail and misconduct in a public office.
Magistrate Kevin Hockey listed his trial in the Bathurst District Court for September 2.
His co-accused, Bathurst businessman Darryl Leahey, has pleaded guilty to one charge of blackmail and will face sentencing on August 30.
The two men were charged in November of 2021.
