EL DORADO, Ark. (AP) - A judge has granted a delay in the conspiracy and bribery trial for Ouachita County Judge Mike Hesterly.
Hesterly had been set to go to trial next week. The El Dorado News-Times reports that a judge this week delayed Hesterly's trial until Aug. 12.
Hesterly was indicted in January along with Harry Clemons Jr. of Bearden. Prosecutors allege that Hesterly awarded a contract to clean up debris left by 2009 tornadoes to Clemons Construction in exchange for campaign contributions from Clemons.
The clean-up project was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Both men were indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud a federal agency and bribery.
Both men have pleaded not guilty.
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