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.
I was stunned to hear he could be sentenced up to 99 years
I’m sure he had a jury of his peers.I bet he wins on appeal.
The appeal will clear him.
Meanwhile, my current and soon to be former congressman did basically the same thing and paid a $250,000 fine and went on to DC.
trumandogz called it:
To: gusopol3
The only thing worse than going before a jury on a Friday is going before a jury just before a four day holiday weekend.
6 posted on Friday, November 19, 2010 8:57:46 PM by trumandogz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies | Report Abuse]
A Republican can’t count on a fair trial in Travis County. That’s why the Democrats set it up to have the political trials there (the republicans have been too gutless to change it since they took over.)
So the verdict shouldn’t surprise anyone.
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 have to say I am stunned.
Jurors sent a note on yellow legal paper that a verdict had been reached to the judge at 4:46 p.m. They had deliberated since Monday afternoon.
They sent word that they had reached a verdict at 4:46 p.m. today.
DeLay was charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money. He faces a possible sentence of 5-99 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine on the money laundering charge, and 2-20 years in prison and a possible $10,000 fine on the conspiracy charge.
This could set the tone for what happens to a number of Democrats in the coming year with Republicans in control of Congress.
I’m not in favor of Democrat or GOP crooks. Throw the bums out and into jail if they have committed crimes.
This persecution of Tom Delay is beyond unbelievable. Every politician could be convicted of money laundering with these standards. Perhaps politics should be illegal.
Ridiculous verdict!!!
I don’t believe he’s guilty but the jury verdict stands. I hope/pray he wins on appeal.
Regardless, this presents an opportunity to prosecute numerous Demo0crats for similar and worse abuses or the system. Failure to do that negates efforts to ‘clean up’ congress and hold them accountable. IF Delay can be convicted on such flimsy evidence, surly Pelosi, Franks, Dodd, Reid and others deserve similar scrutiny.
I don’t know the facts in the case. Nevertheless, if he did do this, then I have no sympathy. I play by the rules, and so should Mr. Delay.
A Republican can’t count on a fair trial in Travis County. That’s why the Democrats set it up to have the political trials there (the republicans have been too gutless to change it since they took over.)
They need to go farther and take this kind of investigations out of the hands of the Travis County DA and place it in the hands of the State Attorney General. This is more of a statewide investigation rather than a local County investigation.
What else is a PAC supposed to do?
Facts often times don’t matter. Politics does.
Amen. And let's start at the Oval Office!!
I am stunned and pissed!
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.