Judge Agrees to Delay Tucker’s Sentencing Until After Election
A federal judge has agreed to delay the sentencing of former Rep. Walter R. Tucker III, who was convicted on federal extortion and tax evasion charges in December, until after the March 26 primary election.
The sentencing had been set for Monday, but prosecutors agreed to a request by Tucker’s lawyer to postpone the court date until April 15. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Consuelo Marshall approved the continuance in Los Angeles.
The postponement brought a sigh of relief from some of the many candidates seeking to fill Tucker’s seat. Some had speculated that a stiff sentence before the election could translate into a sympathy vote for Tucker’s wife, Robin, who announced her intention to run for the 37th Congressional District seat soon after her husband’s conviction.
Tucker’s lawyer, Robert Ramsey Jr., said he requested the delay because he has been too busy to respond to a confidential sentencing report recently released by the U.S. Probation Office.
“It had nothing to do with [the election],” Ramsey said. “I have been busy in court and there are things I need to do in connection with the sentencing process.”
Potter said the prosecution’s agreement to postpone was nothing more than a professional courtesy unrelated to the congressional race.
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