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Tom DeLay Guilty of Money Laundering in 2002 Elections

1 year ago

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Mary Winter

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A Texas jury on Wednesday found former U. S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay guilty of money laundering in connection with the 2002 elections.

DeLay, convicted on two charges, faces a possible sentence of five to 99 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine on a money-laundering charge, and two to 20 years and a possible $10,000 fine on a related conspiracy charge, according to the Austin-American Statesman. A judge could also could give him probation.

DeLay, the second-most powerful Republican in the country five years ago when he was forced to step down because of the charges, called the prosecution an "abuse of power" and a "miscarriage of justice" and said he would appeal.

The six-man, six-woman Travis County jury found DeLay guilty of conspiring to funnel $190,000 of corporate money through the Republican National Committee, which sent $190,000 in campaign donations to seven GOP candidates for the Texas House in 2002, according to the Austin newspaper. State law prohibits corporations from giving donations to candidates directly or indirectly.

The newspaper reported that DeLay stood silently as the judge read "guilty" to both charges. After the judge dismissed the jury, DeLay kissed and hugged his wife, who was sitting in the front row, and his daughter began to cry. "It's OK," he told them.

"I praise the Lord for what's going on," he told reporters outside the courtroom later. "I'm not going to blame anybody."

But then he said Democrats had targeted him because of his role in congressional redistricting, which helped the GOP win seats in Texas in 2003. He complained that the "criminalization of politics undermines our system," the Austin-American Statesman reported. "I'm very disappointed. It is what it is. Maybe we can get it before people who understand the law."

Sentencing is set for Dec. 20. The judge allowed DeLay to remain free on bond until then.

Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg hailed the verdict. "This case is a message from the people of the State of Texas that they want -- and expect -- honesty and ethics in their public officials," she said. "All people have to abide by the law."

DeLay's lead attorney, Dick DeGuerin, promised an appeal. "To say I'm shocked is an understatement," he said.

During the three-week trial, the prosecution brought 30 witnesses to prove that Delay and two associates conspired to circumvent a 1903 Texas law that prohibits corporations from giving money to political candidates.

The New York Times account said the main facts of the case were never in dispute:

"In mid-September 2002, as the election heated up, Mr. DeLay's state political action committee, Texans for a Republican Majority, gave a check for $190,000 to the Republican National Committee. The money had been donated earlier in the year by various corporate lobbyists seeking to influence Mr. DeLay, several witnesses said."

A DeLay associate delivered the check to the Republican National Committee on Sept. 13. At the same time, the associate gave the RNC "a list of state candidates and an amount to be sent to each." Witnesses testified that "the request for the swap had come from Mr. DeLay," the Times said.

In October, seven GOP candidates in Texas received the donations. Republicans took control of the legislature and passed a controversial redistricting plan that sent more Texas Republicans to Congress in 2004 and helped DeLay consolidate his power, according to the Times.

Filed Under: House

Tagged: money laundering, Republican National Committee, texas, texas state legislature, tom delay

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barney2022

I'm a Republican and Im glad this guy was convicted...party doesnt matter, you do the crime, you pay the time.

November 26 2010 at 8:21 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply

blcmaseman

term limits...no benefits after leaving office. no special retirement /health care or benefits plan. Let's all be in social security together. This may not clean up the bad behavior in Congress but I'll feel better not having to pay for more benefits that don't flow to us all.

November 26 2010 at 7:55 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

sunchld0

Finally, justice was not Delayed.

November 25 2010 at 5:06 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to sunchld0's comment

tenderlies1

There are 2 Kinds of Politicians The Caught and The UnCaught. Lets keep going till we catch em all then we will have cleaned house, question is how long can we keep it clean with all the people hanging around the Politicians with all that money.

November 25 2010 at 7:25 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply

chaswri2

I firmly believe the Democrats are just as quility of this crime, they just have not been caugth or no one was out to get them like the district attorney who went after Tom, who is a Democrat. The Democrats always seem to get away with breaking the law,just like the Represenative from New York who is even guility of high crimes and was just given a slap on the wrist. I do feel upon appeal the decision will be reversed.

November 25 2010 at 2:55 PM Report abuse Permalink -5 rate up rate down Reply

Ol Bob

Surprise, surprise! Andy, you'll never guess what's been going on in the House.

November 25 2010 at 2:21 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply

dpaustex

I love it when a guy like Delay - who was one to use/abuse his official office for his own purposes of power - says the jury of his peers that convicted him was an example of "abuse of power". Glad to see he still has his blinders on.

November 25 2010 at 2:17 PM Report abuse Permalink +9 rate up rate down Reply

swheeley

Delay complains that "the criminalization of politics undermines our system". I would say that rather it is "criminal politicians like Delay that undermine our system" . Why do you think that the GOP rejoiced when the Supreme Court ruled that corporations could give unlimited amounts to influence elections ? The court made this type of vote buying legal, fortunately too late to save Delay from his just desserts.

November 25 2010 at 2:11 PM Report abuse Permalink +9 rate up rate down Reply

clinton

Mr. Delay said criminalization of politics undermine our system, if this is how he feels then tell me why he did what he did. I think Mr. Delay and politicians like him are what is wrong with our system and he confirms it because he said so himself. I think that the government of the United States of America is the best in the world but the people WE elect have thrown us under the bus in two more years I hope I make it that long for then I will have the privilage of casting a vote to get our government back on track and for the ones that were just elected keep in mind that you are under watchful eyes and if you do not perform you will the same as the others that do not keep the welfare of the people in mind,you will also be GONE!!!!!!!!!

November 25 2010 at 2:10 PM Report abuse Permalink +6 rate up rate down Reply