Crime

Texas Jury Convicts Tom DeLay in Money Laundering Trial

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay — once one of the most powerful and feared Republicans in Congress — was convicted Wednesday on charges he illegally funneled corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002.

Jurors deliberated for 19 hours before returning guilty verdicts against DeLay on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces up to life in prison on the money laundering charge.

After the verdicts were read, DeLay hugged his daughter, Danielle, and his wife, Christine. There was no immediate comment from him or his attorneys.

Prosecutors said DeLay, who once held the No. 2 job in the House of Representatives and whose heavy-handed style earned him the nickname “the Hammer,” used his political action committee to illegally channel $190,000 in corporate donations into 2002 Texas legislative races through a money swap.

DeLay and his attorneys maintained the former Houston-area congressman did nothing wrong as no corporate funds went to Texas candidates and the money swap was legal.

The verdict came after a three-week trial in which prosecutors presented more than 30 witnesses and volumes of e-mails and other documents. DeLay’s attorneys presented five witnesses.

Prosecutors said DeLay conspired with two associates, John Colyandro and Jim Ellis, to use his Texas-based PAC to send $190,000 in corporate money to an arm of the Washington-based Republican National Committee, or RNC. The RNC then sent the same amount to seven Texas House candidates. Under Texas law, corporate money can’t go directly to political campaigns.

Prosecutors claim the money helped Republicans take control of the Texas House. That enabled the GOP majority to push through a Delay-engineered congressional redistricting plan that sent more Texas Republicans to Congress in 2004 — and strengthened DeLay’s political power.

DeLay’s attorneys argued the money swap resulted in the seven candidates getting donations from individuals, which they could legally use in Texas.

They also said DeLay only lent his name to the PAC and had little involvement in how it was run. Prosecutors, who presented mostly circumstantial evidence, didn’t prove he committed a crime, they said.

DeLay has chosen to have Senior Judge Pat Priest sentence him. He faces five years to life in prison on the money laundering charge and two to 20 years on the conspiracy charge. He also would be eligible for probation.

The 2005 criminal charges in Texas, as well as a separate federal investigation of DeLay’s ties to disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, ended his 22-year political career representing suburban Houston. The Justice Department probe into DeLay’s ties to Abramoff ended without any charges filed against DeLay.

Ellis and Colyandro, who face lesser charges, will be tried later.

Except for a 2009 appearance on ABC’s hit television show “Dancing With the Stars,” DeLay has been out of the spotlight since resigning from Congress in 2006. He now runs a consulting firm based in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land.

Comments (63)

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  • RightPolitically
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 9:03pm

    Delay should serve time; he’s rich and white. But good ol’ Charlie Rangle, now that’s a horse of a different color! Gotta luv the dubbbbbL standard……

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • 13thGenerationAmerican
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 9:18pm

      If he is guilty, he will go down hard. The only thing we have is integrity, if we lose that…we’re done

      Report Post » 13thGenerationAmerican  
  • Givemelibertyorgivemedeath1
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 9:01pm

    This is absolutely amazing,the idiotic Republicans just turned Congressman Rangel out with a damned slap on the hand,basically giving this“ tax cheat ”a pass. Will this verdict against De Lay wake these Republican dead heads up,or will they continue on down this road of going easy on there Democrat buddies. REMEMBER REPUBLICANS ,THESE DEMOCRATS WILL TAKE YOU DOWN WITHOUT HESITATION,IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • 13thGenerationAmerican
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:54pm

    I hope this, fill in the blank _______ gets 5 years regular prison or 20 if it’s federal. Dem or GOP this sickens me that people who have the honor to serve this country usurp integrity for financial gain. What a disgrace to America.

    Report Post » 13thGenerationAmerican  
  • Alvin691
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:29pm

    Keep cleaning out the trash. So, when will the democrats start cleaning their house?

    Report Post »  
  • New-American-Saviors
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:18pm

    When do we get to knock down the OBAMA Monument and beat it with our shoes.Like Iraq ?

    Report Post »  
  • Nervous Investor
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:17pm

    Don’t know the details of the Tom Delay charges ….. but if ever there was a nonsense artificial crime it has to be “money laundering”. Seems that today the matter is no longer whether or not the money being “laundered” was dishonest money or not, any one of a variety of normal everyday transactions can be “painted” as money laundering. Probably even paying a check or cash to a friend who in turn is going to pay a bill for you could be “painted” as money laundering today. Certainly even giving a friend or a family member some money to pool into an investment can be “painted” as money laundering unless all sorts of bureaucratic nonsense is filled out – as soon as the friend buys the investment through his or her brokerage account to crime has been committed. The days when “money laundering” merely meant enabling the proceeds of drug dealing or other criminal activities to get into the “legitimate” banking system are way behind us. Most people today do not even realize that they are opening themselves to charges of “money laundering” when they undertake common day to day transactions. Check it out. The Progressives are a menace to society.

    Report Post »  
    • tgarrett369
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:40pm

      the progressives should be rounded up with the marxists and commies and thrown into a privately owned prison where non union employees guard them for life.

      Report Post »  
  • workin4alivin
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:04pm

    This has got to be one fo the most racist things I’ve seen in a long, Hey wait- he‘s white and it’s only racist when it happens to black people right?

    Report Post » workin4alivin  
    • General K
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:14pm

      Like the Black Panthers at the polls in Philly. I still say there was huge fraud in the 2008 election but they turned their heads since Obama was half black. The ballot boxes were stuffed and no one said a word. Example one district near there 125% of the registered voters cast ballots. How does that work? Nothing was challenged….. did he really win or does our vote mean nothing?

      Report Post »  
  • General K
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:04pm

    They got Jim Trafficant now Delay. The powers that be can be EVIL. I just pray that with the new House many inquiries, trials and convictions are to follow to rein in these commies that have committed treason upon our country. REMOVE OBAMA NOW!

    Report Post »  
  • me
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 7:53pm

    @walkwithme1966 – i am with you as a fellow austinite…

    Report Post »  
  • Sinista Mace
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 7:36pm

    Why’d it take so long?

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • CFNCBETA
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 7:32pm

    Before Delay is imprisoned. Rangle,Geithner, and every single soul in the white houses administration that clearly commited tax evasion then offered nothing more than lame excuses for their crimes should hear the tumblers trun!
    Semper Fidelis
    CFN

    Report Post » CFNCBETA  
  • Goohuman
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 7:11pm

    I don’t see GOP protecting their own corrupt members. Let that be a lesson. No tolerance for corruption here. If you want to cheat, become a DEM. They will protect you.

    Report Post » Goohuman  
  • powhatan
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 7:03pm

    corruption sucks all around

    Report Post » powhatan  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:54pm

    walkwithme1966: You are right about one thing, Austin is a good city to be from. Very Very Very far from.

    Report Post »  
  • OneVoiceFor America
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:52pm

    Last I heard Snipes was still free! They make Republicans go to jail. The make black liberals heroes. That’s the definition of justice in this country.

    Report Post »  
  • Jfifthwheel
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:46pm

    Do you really think Rangel will get off they sent Wesley Snips to jail for not paying taxes

    Report Post »  
    • red penny
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 7:12pm

      You can bet your “BIPPY” that Crazy Charlie will skate.The house can‘t muster enough votes to show him the door and IRS won’t bring charges.He’ll get what the so called ethcs committee recommended;I think their recommendation was censure.

      Report Post »  
  • Ookspay
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:44pm

    Dude, We believe in the freedom to post, but enough of the commercials already. WE are prepared, go to huf po!

    Report Post » Ookspay  
  • BRAVEHEART
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:39pm

    Draining the swamp is a tough job but someone’s gotta do it! Actually it’s kinda fun, like Nov. 2nd. Can’t wait for another shot and seein em bite the dust in droves.

    Report Post »  
  • politics101
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:30pm

    The jury was in Austin, Texas. The most liberal city in the state…by far. Their informal city slogan is “Keep Austin Weird”. What else do you need to know?

    Report Post »  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:47pm

      Don’t make fun of my city – Austin is great – and it is not that liberal – you have to realize that liberal in Texas is more like center right. Sorry about DeLay but I am loving it!! He screwed up our redistricting when he was in office and it was a crime! So there are no tears here for Mr. DeLay. http://maboulette.wordpress.com

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 7:16pm

      @ walkwithme……….as a liberal, i find you are better than most, but you are not center right. much better than the twits like madcow , and the loons in california, i think your are better described as sitting on the fence leaning over into the center. but have hope, someone will soon come up and push you over the fence into our yard. lol trust me the grass IS greener on this side :)

      Report Post » Psychosis  
    • Sicboy
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:31pm

      Center-Right? LOL from North Texas. Not as bad as California, where I come from. But Lefty college kids just the same.

      Report Post » Sicboy  
    • Alphonso
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:40pm

      Center right, Austin? Har de har har. I live 30 miles from Austin. It might as well be a different planet. You yahoos keep electing Doggett and you have the idea that you are center right. Put the bong down and get a grip…

      Report Post »  
    • lindafell
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 9:21pm

      I live in Austin. He was only convicted because he’s a Republican and Austin proper is pretty liberal. Now if he were a Democrat there would have been a different outcome. Delay said from the beginning that he wouldn’t be able to get a fair trial in Austin.

      Report Post »  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:28pm

    When your bad you’re bad. When you‘re black you’re cool.

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • Sicboy
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:28pm

      What kind of ignorant saying is that?

      Report Post » Sicboy  
    • Alky
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 9:10pm

      Sicboy, I think he’s just comparing Delay to Rangel

      Report Post » Alky  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:20pm

    Culture of Corruption!!! Let’s have a new calendar. Each month have the picture of corrupt politician. Delay, Rangle, Jefferson, Blogo. Wait!! We may need to make a 35 month calendar!

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
  • Joseph28
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:15pm

    good! throw all the bums out both democrats and corrupt establishment Republicans

    Report Post » Joseph28  
    • Seagal45
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:56pm

      Oh come on, doing something that actually makes sense will never happen! LOL

      Report Post »  
  • APatriotFirst
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:12pm

    And I say YIPPY Hooray
    Another one bites the dust.

    Report Post »  
  • Fear The Voices
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:12pm

    Delay will probably get time and Rangel will get a “strong” scolding…… go figure!

    Report Post » Fear The Voices  
  • felina g
    Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:12pm

    Shame, shame

    We know your name.

    Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:22pm

      I thought all that BS was thrown out of court last year…

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 6:30pm

      yea,,,and only took ‘forever’.

      Report Post »  
    • BMartin1776
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 7:12pm

      Thats 1 down another 500+ to go! Will the guy serve one day in jail is another question though. Lets see what happens but wouldnt surprise me if yet another elite is given the soft treatment where if it was any of us we would be facing hard time with Bubba and T-Dog in a 6×6 cell!

      Come out of your shell, cross the line within yourself and TAKE BACK AMERICA through http://www.savingtherepublic.com

      Report Post » BMartin1776  
    • M31Sailor
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 7:30pm

      I told Tom that if he didn’t take that sawbuck out of his pocket when he washed his jeans that they would come looking for him. Check your pockets carefully or the feds will come a knockin

      Report Post » M31Sailor  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:21pm

      Another one bites the dust. Now let’s see if Charlie Rangel, Maxine Waters, and some of those other fine folks who have been stealing from the American people for years can get convicted too. I’m not holding my breath though. You have to remember we have the best justice system money can buy, sad state of affairs.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • SLAPTHELEFT
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:24pm

      Its freakin racism. If he was a dem he’d be getting a promotion to the deficit comission. If he was black, he’d be charlie rangel.

      Report Post » SLAPTHELEFT  
    • Sicboy
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:25pm

      After moving to Texas from California, I know one thing. Texas convicts criminals. No if, ans or buts. I have no sympathy for this man. Republicans can be just as bad as Democrats. I hope they take care of him in prison. GOOD LUCK. Convict.

      Report Post » Sicboy  
    • StMichelob
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:31pm

      *cough *cough Charles Jefferson…*cough *cough

      Semper Fi and cut the hands off these crooks…ain’t that right sharia law?

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • tgarrett369
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:33pm

      wow. the blaze really went out of thier way to report on this one. what a great story!! sound like it took a lot of work.

      Report Post »  
    • PeterThePainter
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:36pm

      Politicians go in poor and come out enriched…Why? They are all exempt from insider trading laws, so, when “they” know their about to pass legislation that will effect a certain industry, they call their stock broker and say BUY BUY BUY. In the obverse, if they know their going to make companies close….then SELL SELL SELL making extremly profitable legal insider trades all day long. I’m quite confident the current administration has secured their islands of paridise……………..

      Report Post »  
    • henryKnox
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:42pm

      Now Maxine Waters, Charlie Rangel, Barney Frank and Eddie Bernice Johnson should be next. Frank is the one person most responsible for the terrible financial mess. He defended Fannie Mae and his boyfriend to the end.

      Report Post » henryKnox  
    • realindependent
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 8:50pm

      John The tan man ***** should be next. he was the one passing out tobacco loby checks on the house floor in 2000. Crooks are crooks and they love it on the repub side as well on dems side. term limits and campaign finance reform FTW

      Report Post » realindependent  
    • jzs
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 9:30pm

      Tom “the Hammer” IS NOT GUILTY. He’s only one of many on the right that Obama is try to silence by tossing them in jail without a fair civilian trial. The government had NO EVIDENCE against this innocent American, something you’d know if you followed the trial, and yet he was convicted of “money laundering”. Yeah, right. This was a Kangaroo trial to silence an outspoken TP member.

      This is the first step, just a little step toward Totalitarian Communist Despotism. People! Use your minds and understand that this mock trial, no better than a North Korean trial, portends what is to come. Are you blind? This is the tipping point!

      Report Post » jzs  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 10:37pm

      5 years to life? what kind of deal is that? you hear about sentence durations like five to ten or ten to twenty, but five to life? kind of a big spread.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • Trance
      Posted on November 24, 2010 at 10:49pm

      After I read the story, I was half expecting some blind conservative morons to defend this guy. I support life in prison. Make and example. I‘m sick and tired of the corruption that’s bringing this country down. From both sides of the isle. Although I do think it’s unfortunate that conservatives pay, while liberals walk, I also believe that justice has to start somewhere.

      Report Post » Trance  
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