SAN DIEGO -- A federal judge has delayed the start date of the trial of three councilmen accused of corruption because of the complexity of the case, it was reported Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller Monday released his written ruling, which neither prosecutors nor defense attorneys opposed.

The judge based his decision on the unusually high number of defendants, the "massive" amount of documents and recorded conversations that must be reviewed and the complicated nature of the legal issues involved, according to the ruling, which was obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The designation of the case as complex means it no longer falls under the provisions of the Speedy Trial Act, which requires that a trial begin within 70 days from the date an indictment is filed. An indictment on Aug. 28 accuses Cheetahs strip club owner Michael Galardi, club manager John D'Intino and lobbyist Lance Malone of participating in a plan to abolish the no-touch rule at strip clubs by giving thousands of dollars to San Diego City Councilmen Ralph Inzunza, (pictured, far left), Charles Lewis, (pictured, left), and Michael Zucchet, (pictured, middle).

Dave Cowan, a council aide, is charged with making a false statement to federal agents.

The indictment also said Galardi, D'Intino and Malone paid an undercover San Diego vice detective, who they believed was on the take, for notice of police inspections at Cheetahs in Kearny Mesa.

The councilmen and Malone pleaded not guilty. Galardi and D'Intino have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the others.

In his ruling, the judge said there are approximately 2,000 pages of documents and 3,000 hours of recorded conversations, 10News reported. He also wrote that he anticipated hearing complex legal issues involving wiretaps, confidential informants and motions to suppress evidence and statements.