(RALEIGH) -- A former North Carolina state lawmaker is free on bond after making his first court appearance in federal court on Monday. Former Republican Rep. Stephen LaRoque faces charges that he used taxpayer money to buy personal items.

Sarah Ovaska, Investigative reporter with NC Policy Watch, said there is a good chance the case will go to trial.  "Whether there is a plea deal, that's not often a card you show right away, so whether or not we'll see that or not we don't know, but from what we said today it sounds like we could very well have a trial on these charges," said Ovaska.

LaRoque is accused of taking $300,000 loaned to his nonprofit company through a federal program to help rural communities and giving it to another company he owned.  From there it is alleged that the money benefited some of LaRoque's family members.  His attorney said LaRoque is innocent of the charges.