Former state senator Paul Bookout’s sentencing hearing for federal mail fraud is scheduled for March 2 in Little Rock.
According to the Jonesboro Sun, Bookout’s request to delay his hearing originally set for November 23 was granted by U.S. District Judge Brian Miller on November 17.
The former lawmaker from Jonesboro resigned from office in 2013 after news broke he spent more than $150,000 of campaign funds on personal expenses.
Bookout pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud, but was released on his own recognizance. Since then, he has returned at least $33,000 to his campaign contributors.
Bookout’s attorneys asked for a sentencing delay for more time to calculate how much each donor is owed. Bookout could be facing up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.