Pubdate: Fri, 03 Jan 2003 Source: Kentucky Post (KY) Copyright: 2003 Kentucky Post Contact: http://www.kypost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/661 HEARING ON ALFORD POT CASE DELAYED A preliminary court hearing for former Northern Kentucky University Foundation President James Alford has been delayed six weeks while his attorney investigates the marijuana trafficking charges against Alford. A preliminary hearing had been scheduled Thursday, but Campbell District Court Judge D. Michael Foellger agreed to attorney Dean Pisacano's request that the hearing be put off for six weeks. Prosecutors didn't object, and Foellger re-scheduled the hearing for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Alford, 52, of Highland Heights, didn't appear in court Thursday and remains free on bond. He pleaded innocent at a Dec. 20 arraignment to a charge of trafficking in marijuana between eight ounces and five pounds, a felony that carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison. Alford was arrested Dec. 19 at his condominium after a month-long investigation by the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force and Highland Heights police. Undercover officers said they had made several drug buys from Alford over several weeks before he was arrested. When Alford was arrested, police said they confiscated about 12 ounces of marijuana, digital scales, plastic baggies used to package the drug and a .38-caliber revolver. Pisacano said he wanted the preliminary hearing delayed because "I'm awaiting a lab report on the content of the contraband." "I can't say anything more because I'm still investigating this." Prosecutors say they expect the case against Alford to go to a grand jury and additional charges are possible. Alford was suspended as foundation president the day after he was arrested and three days later he resigned the position he had held for more than a decade. The foundation handles and invests about $30 million in gifts to the university. In the wake of Alford's arrest, the foundation's board of trustees decided to have an outside auditor review the foundation's financial records to determine if any foundation money had been stolen. Board members said they had no evidence any money was missing, but wanted to make sure. Foundation officials say they hope the audit will be completed by the end of January. Foundation and university officials said they were stunned by Alford's arrest and had no idea he was under investigation for marijuana trafficking. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake