Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to delay the trial of two people accused of defrauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture out of $2.8 million in bioenergy subsidy money.

The trial of H. Max Speight and William Tacker II is set for Dec. 14.

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo reports that Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mims says in court documents that the trial is expected to take 1-1/2 weeks, which could push it into the Christmas holidays.

A judge has not ruled on the request.

A federal grand jury indicted Tacker and Speight for allegedly filing false statements to obtain the money for a biofuels business they operated.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty and are out on bond.