By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The sentencing for former St. John the Baptist Parish President Bill Hubbard has again been postponed while the embattled leader continues to cooperate with federal prosecutors.

Prosecutors from U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s office filed a motion on Aug. 23 requesting a 60-day extension so Hubbard can continue his cooperation in the case.

Hubbard resigned from office Sept. 24 before pleading guilty in U.S. District Court in New Orleans to accepting bribes from parish contractors in exchange for business deals. Hubbard then used the money to purchase a car for a female friend.

His sentencing had been scheduled for Aug. 31, but has now been pushed back to Oct. 26.

Letten’s office also announced the sentencing postponement for Ray A. Davezac, one of the contractors implicated in the bribery. Davezac pleaded guilty in July to paying Hubbard $5,000. His sentencing has been moved from Sept. 23 to Nov. 18 at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s office.

The extensions, which were granted Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey, are the latest of several delays requested by prosecutors.