At a hearing Tuesday, two confidential informants were identified in the case of suspended County Commissioner Tom Manuel.
George McClure, a St. Augustine attorney, and Atlantic Beach developer Bruce Robbins are expected to testify in the U.S. District Court case against Manuel early next year.
Both men played roles in the stalled Twin Creeks development, which earlier this year sold plans and property related to the Interstated 95/County Road 210 interchange to the county.
Manuel called naming the informants "the first step of peeling the onion" and revealing the political motivations behind his prosecution.
"The real question is why," Manuel said.
On Nov. 5, Manuel’s attorneys filed a motion to delay the trial, which was set to begin on Dec. 1, stating the quantity of discovery was too large to be reviewed and understood by the original trial date.
The court set a new trial date for Jan. 5. A conference will be held Dec. 15 to determine if the case will go to trial or if another option, such as a plea bargain, should be explored
Manuel was indicted by a federal grand jury on two charges of allegedly accepting bribes totalling $60,000.
When asked this week why he accepted the money, Manuel said, "I still don’t know what I have been charged with. I maintain my innocence and I will prove it in court."
He maintained his innocence and took a leave of absence on Oct. 15.
Gov. Charlie Crist suspended him from office later that same day.
The District 4 commission seat remains open. Sterling Ivey, Crist’s spokesperson, previously said the governor would only consider filling the empty spot if Manuel resigned or was permanently removed from the position.
