Pocklington's sentencing delayed for three months

Peter Pocklington's criminal sentencing hearing has been delayed for three months to give the former owner of the Edmonton Oilers more time to file U.S. tax returns and resolve his personal bankruptcy case. In May, Mr. Pocklington reached a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office in his plan to avoid prison time, as he agreed to plead guilty to perjury. He pledged to pay any U.S. taxes owing from 2006 through 2008. The businessman is "in the process of filing his tax returns, providing consent to the government to obtain such tax returns from official sources," according to filings in U.S. District Court in California. Mr. Pocklington's new sentencing date is now set for Nov. 15 instead of Aug. 9. He was charged in March, 2009, with a two-count felony indictment for bankruptcy fraud. "Three additional months will be needed" to clear up various tax and bankruptcy issues, the court files said.