The sentencing for a former Allegheny County sheriff's captain convicted of one count of perjury was stopped today and will continue later in the month.

The hearing began this morning before U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti, but it was halted about an hour later when the judge realized the proceeding would last too long and interfere with an ongoing jury trial she is hearing. It has been rescheduled for Dec. 22.

During arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Stallings asked the judge for a three-level enhancement for Mr. Schiralli, saying that his lying to the grand jury caused "substantial expenditure of government resources," requiring investigators to interview at least 20 additional witnesses.

Mr. Schiralli was convicted in September of lying to the grand jury by saying he had never kept lists of deputies who contributed to Sheriff Pete DeFazio's campaign funds.

Another former top-ranking official in the sheriff's office, Lt. Cmdr. Richard A. Stewart, is also under indictment for perjury and is in negotiations with the U.S. Attorney's office for a possible plea agreement.

Last week, an indictment against Chief Deputy Dennis Skosnik was unsealed. It charges him with 12 criminal counts, including taking bribes, fixing cases and taking money from Sheriff DeFazio's campaign funds.