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ANCHORAGE - The trial of state Sen. John Cowdery has been delayed until at least March.

The attorney for the Anchorage Republican, Kevin Fitzgerald, sought the delay Tuesday.

He cites the large number of documents he has received from prosecutors as a reason for needing more time.

Cowdery, 78, is charged with conspiring with executives from VECO Corp. to bribe another state senator during legislative debate over oil taxes in 2006.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline ordered the trial to begin March 31.

Cowdery is the fifth state legislator charged in the federal public corruption investigation.