Posted on 11/24/2010 3:18:25 PM PST by Non-Sequitur
For five years, the case against Tom DeLay for money laundering through his Texans for a Republican Majority PAC has been seemingly trapped in the Texas courts facing pre-trial appeals. On November 1, it finally made it to trial and today the verdict is in: guilty on both money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The slightly-less-than-humble DeLay lost his majority leadership in Congress after the indictment came down, but he has maintained his claims that this case was politically motivated throughout the entire process right up to defense attorney Dick DeGuerin's closing arguments.
The jury clearly didn't buy his argument and now DeLay is potentially facing life in prison on money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering charges. DeLay is accused of channeling $190,000 in corporate money through his Texans for a Republican Majority PAC in 2002 to aid GOP candidates.
Glad you got that remark in early - thought exactly the same thing.
Have been wondering a long time on why this was allowed to happen. Are our laws so weak Schauer could not be prosecuted or did not Cox/Terry Land not have the will.
Our courts are not the best of the states but hardly the worst either.
I’d wager DuhWon’s campaign finance shuffle eclipses even Hillary’s.
The so-called "crimes" of Tom DeLay, an American Patriot and true Conservative demand his FREEDOM NOW!
I just can't believe that the world has turned so far upside down in my lifetime when a remarkable man like Mr. DeLay is put through this ordeal and the despicable Angela Davis has a distinguished position at Syracuse University. It's madness...and, like you, my anger is growing.
Exactly. But “good riddance” and “under the bus with him”!
This is scary business.
....as Rangel laughs at the Censure which will be like a slap on the wrist with a noodle.
I don’t believe the verdict, and I don’t believe that it will stand on appeal.
I don’t believe the verdict, and I don’t believe that it will stand on appeal.
He waited five years before his case was heard? That’s wrong. Justice DeLay, justice denied.
A president’s pardon power does not apply to local or state laws, only federal cases. GWB, for all his faults, and they are legion, had no authority to “pardon” DeLay, and DeLay would have had to admit “guilt” to receive a pardon. I still think that GWB is responsible for the election of his successor, and I will not read GWB’s memoirs.
I don’t see much rebellion brewing at all. The Democrtats, remember, kept control of the Senate. And some 43 percent said a week ago that Obama “deserves” reelection. If the economy improves in 2011-2012, Obama will win again. It’s all the American people understand.
Yes. Also this jury verdict shows that electing all these Republicans in Texas for many years now has not really changed things that much. Injustice is still rampant.
“I was stunned to hear he could be sentenced up to 99 years”
How could the system be this wrong?
It seems I remember that he was indicted for something that was legal at the time, but illegal AFTER he did the action.
It seems like he is completely innocent to me, but even if he wasn’t, why up to 99 years????
There are few avenues to correct injustice in the American courts. An appeal is not a second trial, and the “findings of fact” can’t be overturned. The Bible talked about the old Hebrew courts being full of injustice too. The American people are so gullible that they do not know of all the injustices in the system.
“I gotta think the recent Supreme Court decision striking down a lot of the campaign finance laws will mean that the conviction is overturned in federal court.”
I agree. The January 2010 SC decision overturned bans on corporate money given to candidates. The Texas law forbids coporate donations to Texas candidates. This law seems unconstitutional according to the January 2010 decision. I do not think that states can override constitutional free speech guarantees.
I believe that Colorado had campaign finance laws forbidding or restricting corporate money to candidates. I think the Democrat legislature changed the law after the SC decision. I am not sure if Texas still has a ban on corporate money to candidates. It is preposterous that Delay was tried and convicted based on a Texas law that clearly violates the US Constitution.
Corporate donations are banned, but donations from a limited partnership, LLC or any other corporate form are allowed. The law doesn’t make sense and is in doubt after the recent SC decision.
Cold-Cash Jefferson got 13 years for bribery; DeLay should get much less than that, if he loses his appeal.
That’s what I was thinking! And life in prison? You could literally kill someone and not get that sentence!
I don’t know Texas law, but for argument sake say he is guilty. What about those he donated to? Do they have any responsibility to know where their donations came from? Obviously they didn’t think it was money from an illegal donation or they wouldn’t have accepted it. Or did they return his donations?
IIRC, the law that his trial and conviction was based on wasn’t in effect at the time he was accused of perpetrating it?
Is that right?
Huh? Texas code:
SUBCHAPTER D. CORPORATIONS AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
Sec. 253.091. CORPORATIONS COVERED. This subchapter applies only to corporations that are organized under the Texas Business Corporation Act, the Texas For-Profit Corporation Law, the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act, the Texas Nonprofit Corporation Law, federal law, or law of another state or nation.
Sec. 253.094. CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES PROHIBITED. (a) A corporation or labor organization may not make a political contribution or political expenditure that is not authorized by this subchapter.
(b) A corporation or labor organization may not make a political contribution or political expenditure in connection with a recall election, including the circulation and submission of a petition to call an election.
(c) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree.
Sec. 253.104. CONTRIBUTION TO POLITICAL PARTY. (a) A corporation or labor organization may make a contribution from its own property to a political party to be used as provided by Chapter 257.
(b) A corporation or labor organization may not knowingly make a contribution authorized by Subsection (a) during a period beginning on the 60th day before the date of a general election for state and county officers and continuing through the day of the election.
(c) A corporation or labor organization that knowingly makes a contribution in violation of this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree. Evidently Delay violated(somehow) sec 253.104 since the September date on a check was somehow within a 60 day window.
In all fairness, the defense did not have to accept these people as jurors
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.