More plea time OK'd for NYC bomb case money suspect

A federal judge yesterday approved a continuance to allow more time for further plea discussions involving the Centereach man who allegedly acted as a middleman to transfer funds that helped Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad.

Mohamed Younis, 44, is accused of conspiracy and engaging in unlicensed money transfers through a network known as a "hawala."

Although he helped move thousands of dollars from Pakistan to Shahzad, prosecutors say, there is no allegation that he knew the money was financing a bomb plot.

U.S. District Judge John Keenan in Manhattan agreed to continue the case until Jan. 20 instead of setting a trial date after prosecutor Jeffrey Brown told him at a status conference that there was some prospect of success in talks about a "possible disposition."

Brown declined further comment after the hearing. Younis' attorney, Philippe Solages of Hauppauge, also declined to comment.