Posted on 07/07/2004 9:31:02 AM PDT by joesnuffy
DeLay Assembles Defense Team For Ethics Complaint, Texas Probe Wed Jul 07 2004 10:14:42 ET
Facing legal challenges in Washington and Austin, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) has retained lawyers to defend him in both a Congressional ethics probe and an ongoing investigation into Texas' 2002 legislative races, ROLL CALL reported today.
DeLay has rehired former Rep. Ed Bethune (R-Ark.), currently a lawyer with the firm Bracewell & Patterson, to represent him against an ethics complaint filed by Rep. Chris Bell (D-Texas), DeLay aides said.
Meanwhile, in Austin, sources close to the Texas Republican said DeLay has hired two criminal-defense attorneys, Bill White and Steve Brittain, to represent him in an investigation by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who is probing the activities of a DeLay-founded PAC during the Texas 2002 legislative races. White and Brittain - who consulted with DeLay, and Earle, informally for several weeks - were officially retained in the week prior to the July 4 Congressional recess to monitor developments in Earle's investigation and determine their potential impact on DeLay.
Sources said DeLay may seek a waiver from the ethics committee to use the same fund to help pay for costs arising from the current Texas investigation.
Elsewhere, if DeLay is indicted, he'll automatically have to step down from his leadership position, sources tell DRUDGE.
Developing...
Travis County D.A Ronnie Earle will probably indict Tom DeLay. Its a good way to get in grace with Texas Democrats and its political payback for DeLay's involvement in the redistricting scuffle that cost the Democrats their hold on the Texas Congressional delegation. They can bring one down.
The Texas legislature has got to take back the special jurisdiction it gave Ronnie Earl over all political cases.
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