LOS ANGELES : Trial of Accused Madam Fleiss Likely to Be Delayed

A judge Wednesday granted a request that will probably delay next week’s scheduled start of reputed Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss’ trial on state drug and pandering charges.

Superior Court Judge Judith Champagne approved a defense request allowing the trial to begin within 15 days from Monday. Fleiss’ attorneys sought the extension, citing personal scheduling conflicts.

The trial had been scheduled to begin Monday in the same courthouse and on the same floor as the high-profile O.J. Simpson murder trial, which is to begin jury selection.

Fleiss, 28, was arrested last year for investigation of pandering and drug possession after an undercover sting by police. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry a maximum prison sentence of 12 years. Prosecutors say Fleiss ran a call girl ring catering to wealthy businessmen and Hollywood celebrities.

In a separate case, Fleiss and her pediatrician father, Paul Fleiss, face federal charges of tax evasion and money laundering. Their trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 6. The two are accused of depositing checks for prostitution services into his bank account and lying about income from such services and other matters on their tax returns.

Fleiss was arrested last week for testing positive for drugs--a violation of her pretrial release in the federal case. Authorities said the tests revealed methamphetamines and Valium. Fleiss’ mother attributed the test results to asthma medicine. On Monday, a judge ordered Fleiss to enter a live-in drug treatment center.

Her attorney, Donald B. Marks, said she has been accepted into Impact House, a 130-bed facility in Pasadena. He was uncertain when she would move into the center.