Sentencing Delayed in Montgomery Case

Saying he needs more time to review the case, a court-appointed attorney for former Moorpark City Councilman Scott Montgomery asked that he be given more time before Montgomery is sentenced for felony and misdemeanor conflict of interest charges.

On Friday, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Joseph Campbell said he would give the attorney another week to review the case before he set a date for sentencing.

Montgomery pleaded guilty to accepting a $3,500 loan from an east county trash company executive and then voting on city waste hauling contracts with the company. He tried to withdraw the plea, but that motion was denied.

Montgomery faces a possible 3 1/2-year prison term and up to $10,000 in fines.

His sentencing has been delayed since early January because Montgomery has been unable to find an attorney. Montgomery, sales manager for a computer printer company, has been represented by two attorneys since he pleaded guilty in October.

Prosecutor Mark Aveis agreed to the delay in sentencing, but has said he would like the matter resolved by the end of March.