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The Cognizant bribery trial, involving allegations against former executives for authorizing a $2 million bribe, has been delayed yet again. This latest postponement, announced Friday, pushes the trial's start date to March 3. The delay extends a saga that has been unfolding for over five years, underscoring the complex and enduring nature of international legal proceedings.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz, in a decisive but nuanced ruling, granted the six-month delay to accommodate ongoing efforts to secure vital depositions from witnesses in India. The trial had originally been scheduled for September 9, but federal prosecutors requested more time to obtain testimonies crucial to the case. The defendants, Gordon Coburn and Steven Schwartz, did not contest the adjournment.

In his detailed seven-page order, Judge Farbiarz weighed several critical factors, including the defendants' right to a swift trial and the public's expectation for timely justice. He acknowledged that while alternate forms of evidence, such as reports, are less compelling for jurors, the preservation of the trial's integrity is paramount. "The fundamental reason for the delay is to preserve the integrity of the truth-seeking process," Judge Farbiarz stated. "This process, though lengthy, aims to ensure that the jury's verdict is based on thorough, cross-examined witness testimony."

Coburn, the former CEO of Cognizant, and Schwartz, the company's ex-chief legal officer, face accusations of authorizing a $2 million bribe through the construction giant Larsen & Toubro to expedite a permit for a delayed project in Chennai, India. The bribe allegedly involved falsified invoices to cover up the illicit payment. Cognizant previously settled related civil corruption claims with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for $25 million in 2019.

Originally assigned to Judge Kevin McNulty in 2019, the case was initially set to go to trial in September 2020. However, due to the case's complexity, McNulty granted continuances for additional discovery. The trial was later rescheduled to October 2023, but McNulty's retirement led to the case being reassigned to Judge Farbiarz.

Further delays occurred when prosecutors struggled to obtain a key witness whose passport was held by Indian authorities. The trial was then postponed in April due to a scheduling conflict involving Schwartz’s attorney. With the new trial date set for March 3, 2025, prosecutors emphasized the necessity of securing seven depositions from India under a mutual legal assistance treaty. They expressed uncertainty about the likelihood of these depositions being completed before the new trial date but noted that additional time could enhance their chances.

Legal representatives for Coburn and Schwartz did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Coburn’s defense is led by James Patrick Loonam, Hank Bond Walther, Henry Klehm III, and Sarah D. Efronson of Jones Day. Schwartz is represented by a team including Roberto Finzi, Theodore V. Wells Jr., and Justin D. Lerer of Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison LLP, alongside Lawrence S. Lustberg of Gibbons PC, and Jeremy Bohrer of Bohrer PLLC.