DEL RIO, Texas — Crystal City’s former city manager was supposed to be sentenced Wednesday for his conviction related to a conspiracy involving city officials, however, unexpectedly, it was postponed.

Representing himself, William James Jonas III accused three people of perjury during his trial Wednesday afternoon, effectively convincing the judge to postpone his sentencing, saying witnesses during his trial lied on the stand.

One of the witnesses who Jonas called to the stand is current  San Antonio District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez.

In June, Palaez testified that Jonas tried to convinced him to be apart of the same kickback scheme which led to his conviction.

"When Mr. Jonas approached me and asked me to participate in an illegal kickback scheme, that day within less than an hour, I contacted the FBI and reported that crime. You see we as public officials have an obligation to hold ourselves to a higher standard and we as lawyers have a higher standard as well and so I don't understand why he thinks I may have signaled to him to give him the idea that I would be down for something like that," Palaez said after Wednesday’s trial.

The judge will subpoena three witnesses total, including Pelaez. The sentencing will continue May 16.

In June 2017, Jonas was convicted in federal court in connection with his role in a bribery scheme.

The U.S. Department of Justice said jurors found Jonas guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bribery involving federal programs three substantive counts of bribery involving federal programs, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft of honest services, five substantive counts of wire fraud and theft of honest services and four counts of wire fraud.

Between May 2012 and February 2016, it was alleged that Jonas and other city officials used their positions to solicit and accept bribes from people seeking to do business in Crystal City.

This is a developing story. Spectrum News will add updates as they become available.