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SPRINGFIELD - Former Lee police chief Joseph Buffis' trial on extortion and fraud charges has been delayed due to medical reasons.

(The Republican file)

SPRINGFIELD — Jury selection has been delayed for at least a day in the trial of Joseph Buffis, the former Lee police chief accused of extortion and fraud in connection with the alleged looting of a Christmas charity for poor children.

Lori Levinson, a lawyer for Buffis, said Friday during a telephone conference with U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni that her client had been hospitalized. She was not specific about his condition.

The long-awaited trial is expected to last three weeks in federal court in Springfield. Jury selection was scheduled for Monday was tentatively postponed until Tuesday, according to the court docket.

Buffis is accused of stealing $120,000 from the toy fund for needy kids. His hospitalization came on the heels of new accusations that he also ripped off $40,000 from another police charity and his church, according to federal investigators.

