The federal corruption trial of a former New Jersey Democratic county chairman will be delayed for nearly a year.
Joseph Ferriero was tentatively set to go on trial on racketeering charges next month.
But U.S. District Judge Ester Salas signed an order earlier this month that sets a new trial date of Oct. 14, 2014. She made the decision after prosecutors and defense lawyers filed a joint application seeking a delay due to the "complexity" of the case.
Ferriero is charged with operating the Bergen County Democratic Organization as a racketeering enterprise from 2001 to 2008. Prosecutors say he solicited bribes from a Virginia real estate investment trust and a New Jersey software developer in exchange for using his official influence.
Ferriero also is accused of paying kickbacks to gain municipal contracts for a consulting company he owned. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts and remains free on $250,000 bail.
Ferriero was convicted of conspiracy and mail fraud in another case in 2009. But those convictions were tossed after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowed the applicable law.
