However, Cornelius ignored Servilius' veto and continued with proceedings, prompting the consul Gaius Piso to intervene.
The consul Piso tried to intervene, but his fasces were smashed, prompting Cornelius to withdraw the bill and replace it with a version allowing the Senate to take a preliminary vote on these matters.
In 66 BC, two brothers, Publius and Gaius Cominius, indicted him under the lex Cornelia de maiestate.
However, on the day of the trial, the presiding praetor failed to arrive, leaving Cornelius' supporters free to intimidate and threaten the Cominii brothers.
This time, the prosecution was supported by the testimony of some of the most powerful men in the state, including ex-consuls such as Hortensius, Catulus, and Metellus Pius.