Ortloff sentencing delayed again

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November 6, 2009

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Fri Nov 06, 2009, 09:54 AM EST

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