Center Broadcasting reported yesterday that former Shelby Regional Hospital owner; Dr. Tariq Mahmood had rescinded his guilty-plea deal, changed attorneys and asked for a postponement to allow his new counsel time to prepare for trial, in regards to billing fraud and stealing patient's IDs. We have a bit more information on the matter.

The Dallas Morning News reported earlier this week that U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider had granted Mahmood's request. However, Judge Schneider, with noted frustration during Monday's hearing because of previous delays, gave Mahmood and his attorney until July 21 to start his jury trial.

Mahmood, who owned and operated six troubled rural Texas hospitals, including Shelby Regional, was indicted in April 2013 for billing fraud and hit with a second set of charges in December for allegedly stealing patient identities to carry out his scheme.