Tom DeLay Guilty of Money Laundering in 2002 Elections

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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 faces a possible sentence of five to 99 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine on the money-laundering charge, and two to 20 years and a possible $10,000 fine on the 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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