Nov 01, 2010

Money-laundering trial of former House Majority Leader DeLay gets underway in Texas

09:54 AM
By Jack Plunkett, AP

The long-awaited trial of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on charges of helping to illegally finance Texas legislative races is getting underway this morning in Austin.

The former Houston-area congressman is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

The Associated Press reports that DeLay was "upbeat" as he entered an Austin courtroom.

"The prosecution doesn't have a case. How can I not feel confident," said DeLay, standing next to his wife Christine.

DeLay and two associates are accused of funneling $190,000 in corporate money through a national group to help elect GOP state legislative candidates in Texas in 2002. Under state law, corporate money cannot be directly used for political campaigns.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... in-texas/1