Trial for former Mamtek CEO delayed for months

The trial for the former CEO of a failed artificial sweetener plant in Moberly has been delayed until the summer.

Bruce Cole was originally scheduled for trial in mid-February, but prosecutors in Randolph County confirmed for ABC 17 News this weekend that the trial has been pushed until at least June 16.

The reason for the delay is Cole’s public defender, who claims his caseload is too heavy for the trial to continue on time.

Cole was charged with felony fraud and theft earlier this year, accused of improperly diverting cash from Mamtek US Inc. that was intended for the proposed plant in Moberly.

The trial, whenever it happens, will be held in St. Charles County after Cole was granted a change of venue request in April.

Cole is being held on GPS-monitored house arrest in the state of California.

The Mamtek project collapsed after Cole’s company missed one of the $39 million bond payments in August 2011.