Michael Sussmann's trial to begin in first case brought by Special Counsel John Durham

The trial of former Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann is set to begin Monday morning as Special Counsel John Durham’s yearslong investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe finally lands in court.

Sussmann is charged with making a false statement and has pleaded not guilty.

The trial is set to begin at 9 a.m. in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with jury selection and U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper presiding.

Durham alleges Sussmann told FBI General Counsel James Baker in September 2016 — less than two months before the 2016 presidential election — that he was not doing work "for any client" when Sussman requested and attended a meeting where he presented "purported data and ‘white papers’ that allegedly demonstrated a covert communications channel" between the Trump Organization and Alfa Bank, which has ties to the Kremlin.

John Durham and Michael Sussmann (Sussman photo from Perkins Coie)

Durham alleges Sussmann lied in the meeting, "falsely stating to the general counsel that he was not providing the allegations to the FBI on behalf of any client."