ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  -- A racial discrimination suit stemming from Gov. David Paterson's takeover of the state Senate's Democratic minority in 2003 is scheduled for trial Dec. 1 following a settlement conference this week.

The trial will be held in Syracuse before Chief U.S. District Judge Norman Mordue. Paterson, governor since March, has denied the allegation that a white Senate staff photographer was fired to make way for hiring a black photographer.

Paterson won a caucus election in 2002 to lead the Senate's Democrats.

The caucus central staff included photographer Joseph Maioriello, who sued the state and Senate two years later seeking $1.5 million.

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