PITTSBURGH -- Former Allegheny County Medical Examiner Dr. Cyril Wecht pleaded not guilty on Friday, setting in motion what promises to be a lengthy, high-profile federal case.

Wecht, who has consulted on deaths ranging from Elvis Presley to Lacy Peterson and JonBenet Ramsey, is accused of using his county staff for private gain. He was indicted by a federal grand jury last month on 84 counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, theft of honest services and theft from the medical examiner's office.

Wecht immediately resigned after the indictment was released on Jan. 20. Later that day, he told Team 4 investigator Jim Parsons that he was innocent.

After Wecht entered his plea on Friday, a judge set his bond at $100,000. It is unsecured, meaning Wecht does not have to put up the money.

WTAE Channel 4's Bob Mayo reported that the trial will likely begin in September or October. Prosecutors estimate that it will take at least five to six weeks to present their case, and Wecht's attorneys said they may need about a month to defend him.

The indictment accuses Wecht of using government employees to run his errands and do work for his private pathology company.

Prosecutors also allege that Wecht overcharged private clients and used fake travel agency bills to cover himself.

George Hollis, a former histologist in Wecht's office, and Dr. Leon Rozin, former chief forensic pathologist, are also named in the indictment. Both men pleaded not guilty on Thursday.