With a 2-1 ruling, a Texas appeals court has overturned former Rep. Tom DeLay’s
conviction on money laundering charges, releasing an opinion this morning that
said prosecutors never proved the Texas Republican and one-time powerful
majority leader of the House benefited from criminal activity.
conviction on money laundering charges, releasing an opinion this morning that
said prosecutors never proved the Texas Republican and one-time powerful
majority leader of the House benefited from criminal activity.
Here’s a report from The Washington Times:
“Mr.
DeLay was accused of trying to game campaign finance laws to siphon
large-dollar corporate donations made to a state political action committee
through a national party committee and then back to candidates for federal
office in Texas.
DeLay was accused of trying to game campaign finance laws to siphon
large-dollar corporate donations made to a state political action committee
through a national party committee and then back to candidates for federal
office in Texas.
“But the
court ruled that the initial donations were legal, and that the PAC was
legally able to transfer the money out of state. And the court also ruled
that the money from the national party committee was done from the correct
accounts.
court ruled that the initial donations were legal, and that the PAC was
legally able to transfer the money out of state. And the court also ruled
that the money from the national party committee was done from the correct
accounts.
“’Rather than supporting an agreement to violate the election
code, the evidence shows that the defendants were attempting to comply with the
Election Code limitations on corporate contributions,’ Justice Melissa Goodwin
wrote in the majority opinion.”
code, the evidence shows that the defendants were attempting to comply with the
Election Code limitations on corporate contributions,’ Justice Melissa Goodwin
wrote in the majority opinion.”
