Pittsburgh Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle, accused of involvement in a kickback scheme, waived her right to a preliminary hearing this morning, according to staff at District Judge Charles A. McLaughlin's office.

Ms. Carlisle did not personally appear before the judge but was represented by a lawyer. The waiver means the matter will proceed to criminal court without the prosecution having to first lay out its evidence.

Preliminary hearings for three alleged co-conspirators, Sheryl Pinson-Smith, Darlene Durham and Lee Otto Johnson, are still set for 1 p.m. tomorrow at Judge McLaughlin's Brookline courtroom.

The four stand accused by the Allegheny County grand jury of involvement in arrangements in which the councilwoman hired them as consultants, paid them city money for nominal or no work, and then deposited a portion of the money they received in her personal or campaign accounts. The arrangement allegedly siphoned $38,310 from the city to Ms. Carlisle's personal account, and $4,850 to her campaign account.

Ms. Carlisle appeared yesterday at a council meeting, saying she will not resign because "District 9 needs a representative." She faces seven rivals in the May 15 Democratic primary.