The federal corruption trial of two Caddo Parish judges, scheduled to start Monday, has been delayed a week after one of the defense attorneys is out of the case because of an apparent conflict of interest.

Caddo District Judge Michael Walker and Caddo Juvenile Court Judge Vernon Claville are accused of taking bribes in return for favorable sentences and bond reductions in cases before them. Both men deny the charges.

Alex Washington, one of Walker's two defense attorneys, won't be part of the defense team. FBI wiretaps that are central to the government's case picked up conversations involving the defense attorney's former law partner.

That former partner could have to testify, which would create a conflict of interest.

The trial will begin on May 19 in U.S. District Court in Shreveport.

Defense attorneys on Thursday also dropped a request to have the defendants tried separately.

A bail bondsman is charged along with the judges. He is accused of acting as a middleman in the delivery of bribes.