Washington - The trial against former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy that was set to begin the end of this month has been delayed.
U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina ordered the delay last month to give time for related cases to wind their way through appellate courts.
On March 25 Independent Counsel Donald Smaltz, who has been investigating Espy for alleged corruption charges, will argue before an appeals court against the dismissal of accusations that were thrown out in Espy's case. The dismissals include charges that Espy violated the Meat Inspection Act and lied to the President's counsel and Chief of Staff.
Urbina also cited an appeal by Sun-Diamond, the nation's largest fruit cooperative, which was convicted of giving illegal gifts to Espy and making tainted corporate campaign contributions to Espy's brother, Henry.
"In this court's considered view, the outcome of these cases will likely have an influence on the content of the prosecution and defense of this case," Urbina wrote in the February 13 order.
Espy's lawyers and prosecutors will meet with Urbina on May 4 to discuss the status of the trial.
Espy, who resigned from President Clinton's cabinet after Smaltz began his probe in 1994, was scheduled to go on trial March 30 for accepting more than $35,000 in illegal gifts.
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