I truly believe there is a cult of personality surrounding DeLay. The fact that the Ethics Committee has found DeLay guilty on several occasions yet some Republicans insist that this isn't true reminds me of the over the top excuses Democrats made for Bill Clinton's behavior.
As I said, Delay was not convicted of any ethical issues, only the 'appearance' of impropriety.
As you are aware, it does not suffice for any House Member to assert that his or her actions violated no law, or violated no specific prohibition or requirement of the House Rules. The House Code of Official Conduct broadly requires that every House Member, officer and employee conduct himself at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House. It is particularly important that members of the House leadership, who are the most publicly visible Members, adhere to this requirement scrupulously
Delay was not guilty of any crime or even violating some explicit rule of the House.
He was just 'guilty' of giving the 'appearance' of violating some arcane rules.