Sentencing in former Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price’s federal case has been delayed again. This time it has been rescheduled for April 22 at 10:30 a.m.

Price, who resigned from his position on Oct. 9, 2009 and a week later pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud and tax evasion charges, was set to appear back before U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman in New Orleans for sentencing on Jan. 28.

That date was pushed back at the request of defense attorney Ralph Whalen, who said he needed additional time for debriefing and to prepare his client. Kathy English with U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s Office said there is no explanation in court records for the latest delay, and it appears to have come at the request of the court.

Price’s guilty verdict came following a scathing report from the Legislative Auditor’s Office, which in late 2008 accused the then mayor of misusing public funds.

Following the report, Letten’s office began an investigation, which result in Price pleading guilty to one count each of mail fraud and tax evasion.

Price admitted to accepting lavish trips and gifts from Rick Meyer of Meyer Engineers, which does much of the engineering work for the city; and Don McMath, a major developer in Mandeville.

According to the bill of factual information issued from the Letten’s Office, Price also admitted using campaign funds for personal uses, including the purchase of clothing and food and the repaying of golfing bet debts.

He did not report these items on his campaign finance reports filed with the state Ethics Board and did not report the additional income he received in the form of gifts from Meyer and McMath on his tax returns.

Price faces a total maximum sentence of 25 years in jail, 20 for mail fraud and five for tax evasion. Plus he also faces fines of $250,000 for each count.

Under federal law there is no parole or early release. If sentenced to jail, Price would have to serve the entire sentence.