Skipton Coroner Jeremy David Cave has denied stealing more than £170,000 from the estates of dead people.
He appeared before Teesside Crown Court charged with 10 counts of theft yesterday.
Cave, 52, of The Grange, Balk, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, was suspended from his duties as coroner for the western district of North Yorkshire by the Lord Chancellor last June after he was charged.
He originally faced four counts of obtaining property by deception. This was later changed to the current indictment.
Cave, who wore a dark grey suit, red and white striped shirt and blue tie, spoke to confirm his name and to deny the charges.
He denied individual allegations of theft between 1990 and 2000 relating to stealing credit balances totalling £173,563 belonging to the estates of 10 dead people.
The individual amounts ranged from £3,160 to £76,420.
The hearing was adjourned to Teesside Crown Court on March 27 when a trial date is expected to be fixed.
Cave was given unconditional bail.
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