Here are the completed sentences based on your request:

1. **Because of** the holdup on the way, I was late for the meeting.

2. **Because** of his weird accent, Tom is very difficult to understand.

3. **Because of** her bad cold, she didn’t go to the circus with Betty.

4. **Because of** his refusal to work overtime, we can’t increase his salary until July.

5. **Because of** the crude oil spilling, lots of fish and other sea creatures had died.

6. **Because of** not having enough money, we didn't buy the car.

7. **Because of** disobeying his boss, Jackson lost the job.

8. **Because of** the pilots coming out on strike, many flights were delayed.

9. **Because of** his bad behavior, he has few friends.

10. **As a result of** complications from Parkinson's disease, he died last week.