It appears the public is one step closer to finding out if a former City of Sault Ste. Marie employee who helped run the Essar Centre is guilty of fraud related charges.

Monday marked nearly four years to the day Trevor Zachary was arrested and charged with 18 offences; eight counts of forgery, eight counts of uttering a forged document, four counts of fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust.

The former marketing and events manager of Essar Centre was back in court for the start of jury selection on Monday.

Roughly 140 people were selected to take part of the process and the lawyers need to pare the pool down to 14 jury members.

Zachary pleaded not guilty to the 18 charges police allege took place between 2008 and 2013. He was the marketing and events manager from 2006 to 2013.

The city requested police conduct an investigation after staff did its own review of finances of the arena.

The trial is expected to last two to three months, but it could end at any time.

The defense has requested charges be dismissed because of how long it has taken to get before a jury.