If you get to within 30 days of that start date and are still left hanging, it's time to send the CEO a registered FYI letter articulately slamming the recruiter for unprofessionalism by citing the facts of the time line (including job reposting and given explanation) and asking the CEO to draw his own conclusion about how well that recruiter is representing him. If you won't go out on a limb to take care of yourself, why should they expect you would take care of their department? The indicators are that at this point you have nothing to lose by identifying an underperforming employee of theirs in your negotiations as long as you don't attack the organization; or, its leadership.
