Tom DeLay, the former House Majority Leader and one of the most powerful lawmakers to come out of Texas, was convicted Wednesday, Nov. 24, of illegal money laundering.
The jury decided DeLay was guilty, along with two associates, of conspiring to funnel $190,000 in campaign donations to Texas Republican candidates in 2002.
DeLay, 63, maintained his innocence and said he would appeal the decision.
He described the prosecution as a political vendetta by Democrats in the local district attorney’s office, calling it “an abuse of power,” according to the New York Times.
However, Rosemary Lehmberg, district attorney for Travis County in Texas, said the decision had nothing to do with politics.
“The public officials people elect to represent them must do so honestly and ethically and if not, they will be held accountable,” she said.
DeLay could be jailed for up to life, with sentencing due just before Christmas.
The jury decided DeLay was guilty, along with two associates, of conspiring to funnel $190,000 in campaign donations to Texas Republican candidates in 2002.
DeLay, 63, maintained his innocence and said he would appeal the decision.
He described the prosecution as a political vendetta by Democrats in the local district attorney’s office, calling it “an abuse of power,” according to the New York Times.
However, Rosemary Lehmberg, district attorney for Travis County in Texas, said the decision had nothing to do with politics.
“The public officials people elect to represent them must do so honestly and ethically and if not, they will be held accountable,” she said.
DeLay could be jailed for up to life, with sentencing due just before Christmas.
