Judge Reschedules Hubbard Hearing

A judge has rescheduled a hearing on indicted House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s request to dismiss ethics charges against him.

Circuit Judge Jacob Walker delayed the hearing until Feb. 16 because of a scheduling conflict.

Hubbard is alleging prosecutorial misconduct after a political consultant said he communicated often with the lead prosecutor and used the information to try to damage Hubbard politically.

Political consultant Baron Coleman wrote in an affidavit that began a “whisper campaign” during the primary election.

Coleman, in a statement, said he drew no conclusions on whether anything that transpired was illegal or unethical.

Walker gave prosecutors until Feb. 11 to file a response.

Hubbard is scheduled to go to trial in March 28 on ethics charges accusing him of using his public positions to benefit his companies.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)