Austin American-Statesman:
Jury convicts DeLay in money-laundering case
Tom DeLay, the former U.S. House majority leader whose name became synonymous with the Republicans’ controversial rise to power in the Texas House, was found guilty today of laundering money in connection with the 2002 elections.
Jurors sent a note on yellow legal paper that a verdict had been reached to the judge at 4:46 p.m. They had deliberated since Monday afternoon.
They sent word that they had reached a verdict at 4:46 p.m. today.
DeLay was charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money. He faces a possible sentence of 5-99 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine on the money laundering charge, and 2-20 years in prison and a possible $10,000 fine on the conspiracy charge.
DeLay was found guilty of conspiring to launder $190,000 of corporate contributions through the Republican National Committee to seven candidates for the Texas House. This wasn't just a state issue, however. DeLay had sought GOP control of the Texas legislature in order to redraw the Congressional district map to the GOP's advantage. When Republicans took control of the state legislature, they redrew the congressional district map under DeLay's direction, leading to a net gain of 12 seats in the U.S. House for the GOP in the 2004 elections.