by Jonathan Tilove, The Times-Picayune

AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, awaits trial on 16 charges of racketeering, money laundering, bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy

WASHINGTON -- Rep. William Jefferson's federal corruption trial remains on hold after U.S. District Court Judge T. S. Ellis III today canceled a status conference that had been scheduled for Friday. The court is awaiting a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling on an appeal by Jefferson's lawyers to throw out most of the 16 charges against him.

Ells' decision likely means a further delay in the congressman's trial, which had been scheduled for Dec. 2.

Jefferson, D-New Orleans, who won the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary Tuesday, faces Republican Anh "Joseph'' Cao and other candidates in the general election Dec. 6. Jefferson is to stand trial in Alexandria, Va., on 16 charges of racketeering, money laundering, bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy. Jefferson says he is innocent.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., heard arguments in late September on Jefferson's appeal, and Ellis had scheduled the status conference for Friday in the expectation that all parties would know the Appeals Court's decision by then. But since they don't, Ellis decided to postpone the status conference until they do.