Posted on 11/24/2010 3:31:02 PM PST by Justaham
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.
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
I don’t care if you have an “R” or a “D” next to your name; if you’re crooked, you should be thrown out and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
That being said, I think this case will be overturned on appeal.
Hopefully he will be free on bail pending appeal.
Travesty of justice to say the least. The one republican onthe jury could have held out but was likely threatened with prolonged deliberations if he didn’t go along with the other liberal members.
What’s this?
Rangel gets a slap on the wrist & Delay goes to JAIL?
It will be appealed, and he will be vindicated on appeal.
Exactly!!!! So disgusting I dont have words.
Justice is not relative. If Delay is guilty, he should pay the price, as should Rangel. Injustice either way does not justify further injustice.
Sometimes it seems unfair, but these things have a way of working out in the end - just ask O.J.
They are both scum and should both be in jail no matter their politics.
DeLay faces life in Prison while Rangel faces a tongue lashing. Figures,,, DeLay is a white Republican.
He'll win on appeal.
n.b. The trial took place in Austin, a liberal bastion. The prosecution was a derivative of the goals of Mr. Ronnie Earle, and pursued for political reasons. I expect that this jury would find a conservative rock guilty of something. I concur, if he did the crime, he should do the time. But apply the same standards to all politicians, local, state, and federal levels. Wants some names? Look up the 535 names of the last congress. We would immediately need more jail space.
I read earlier today that the jury foreman was a “Greenpeace activist.”
If only US law was still equal!
I don’t believe this. It was my understanding that the law governing this transaction made it legal at the time of the transaction. Did they convict on the newer law?
What!? There are murderers walking around who got less time than that!
“He’ll win on appeal.”
Just like Scooter Libby? Sorry, but the appeals court won’t do squat. Tom is the victim of a system that he has had a part in making. It doesn’t matter what the law says, it only matters what a prosecutor can convince a jury to convict on. From my experience juries are primed to find the defendant guilty no matter what, and in the case of politically charged defendants even more so. Sucks but that’s the legal system we have in Amerika, enjoy it as someday soon it will be your turn.
Just yesterday the Judge scolded the jurors for requesting information that had nothing to do with the case.
Don’t see how the Judge can allow the conviction can stand.
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