Press-Republican

Local News

November 6, 2009

Ortloff sentencing delayed again

ALBANY — Former Assemblyman Chris Ortloff remains behind bars awaiting federal sentencing, but officials say that now won't happen until next year.

After a series of delays, the 61-year-old Plattsburgh man was due in court next week, but prosecutors said the proceeding has been pushed back until next year.

U.S. Assistant District Attorney Thomas Spina said the latest delay, like the others, was to "address various sentencing issues." He wouldn't give any more information.

Ortloff has been in custody since April 23, when he was originally supposed to be sentenced on a single charge of online enticement of a minor.

The high-profile former politician was arrested last fall after authorities learned he was trying to arrange sex with two young girls.

Before his arrest, Ortloff spent several weeks chatting online and arranging the sex meeting with someone he thought was the girls' mother, but it was really an undercover police investigator.

The former TV anchorman was arrested at an Albany-area hotel room when he showed up for the supposed encounter.

He later pleaded guilty to the federal charge and now faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. He already gave himself up to start serving his time before the sentence was imposed.

He could also be fined up to $250,000 when he returns to court in Albany at 11:30 a.m. March 8.

Ortloff has never commented publicly on the case.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart