Trial for judge accused of investment fraud delayed

Suspended Family Court Judge Steven Jones is getting another three months before he has to face a jury of his peers in his federal fraud case.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey Thursday continued his March 4 trial until June 3. Defense lawyers argued for more time to review the large amount of evidence FBI agents gathered in their investigation.

Jones and five other defendants, including his former brother-in-law, Thomas Cecrle, were indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2012 in what authorities alleged was a $3 million investment fraud scheme.

The indictment accuses Jones of using the power of his Family Court office to carry out the decade-long scheme between 2002 and 2012.

Cecrle, who has been in federal custody since the indictment, wanted to be tried separately in March, but Dorsey refused to sever him from the case.

The six defendants face an array of charges, including conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering.

Earlier this week, Jones gave notice that he’s appealing his unrelated three-month suspension without pay to the Nevada Supreme Court.

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline ordered the suspension because of misconduct by Jones tied to his romantic relationship with a local prosecutor who appeared before him.

Jones was suspended with pay by the commission in November 2012 as a result of his federal indictment.