A judge has granted a defense request to postpone disgraced former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan’s sentencing until October, according to court documents obtained Thursday.
Chan was found guilty in March of a dozen federal criminal counts tied to convicted ex-Councilman Jose Huizar’s City Hall pay-to-play scheme.
Sentencing was set for June 10 in Los Angeles federal court, but U.S. District Judge John Walter this week delayed the hearing until Oct. 4.
John Hanusz, one of Chan’s attorneys, wrote in his request for a four-month postponement that more time was needed to prepare for the hearing.
“Moreover, the defense is still in the process of gathering documentary evidence and letters from professional colleagues, friends, family, co-workers, and other individuals to present to the court for its consideration at sentencing,” Hanusz wrote.
Chan, 67, of Monterey Park, was convicted of all 12 felony counts he faced: one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, seven counts of honest services wire fraud, three counts of bribery and one count of making false statements to a federal government agency.
Formerly the general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, Chan later served as deputy mayor of economic development from 2016 to 2017.
Evidence showed Chan was a key member of the so-called Council District 14 enterprise, a conspiracy in which Huizar — assisted by others — unlawfully used his office to give favorable treatment to wealthy developers in exchange for cash bribes and other illicit benefits.
Huizar, 55, pleaded guilty last year to felony charges for using his powerful position at City Hall to enrich himself and his associates, and for cheating on his taxes. He was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison and ordered to surrender to begin his sentence no later than Aug. 30.