The court case against former Ontario Liberal re-election campaign director Pat Sorbara and fundraiser Gerry Lougheed has begun.

(Antonella Artuso / John Lappa / Postmedia Network)

Neither was in court Monday and the matter was put over until December 14 to give their lawyers more time to review the evidence against them.

The trial will be heard by judge only.

The Crown attorney claims Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault is alleged to have “sought certain benefits“ to run in last year`s Sudbury byelection.

Sorbara and Lougheed are alleged to have offered a would-be candidate, Andrew Olivier, a job or appointment, to get him to step aside for Premier Wynne`s preferred candidate.

That candidate was Thibeault, then a New Democrat MP, who ultimately won the byelecton.

One of the charges Sorbara faces, is over the allegation she promised to get him “an office or employment“ to induce him to run.

The Crown says the section of the Elections Act makes it an offence to offer a bribe, not necessarily to receive one.