SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A former Illinois State Senator and gubernatorial candidate agreed in court Monday to be tried by a judge next week rather than a jury in his federal campaign fraud case.

William “Sam” McCann is accused of knowingly defrauding people who donated or contributed to his campaigns for Senator and then for governor, starting in 2015, and continuing through 2020.

Monday’s bench trial will come just months after a public defender representing the indicted former GOP lawmaker withdrew from the case, saying their attorney-client relationship was broken. Another public defender was then appointed to represent McCann.

Seven of the counts against McCann allege fraudulent misuse of campaign money and providing false reports to the IRS.

Two accuse him of money laundering and tax evasion, willfully evading taxes in 2018 and preparing false reports.

McCann has pleaded not guilty. A conviction on all counts could bring more than 45 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

McCann became a senator for the 50th District after boundaries for the 49th District were redrawn in 2013.

He represented District 51 until he left the Republican Party in 2018 and ran for governor.