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.