Tom DeLay's cronies still on the hook for money laundering

[sonias]

Austin Legal blog AAS 4/28/10
Appeals court says money-laundering law applies in case involving DeLay associates

The Austin appeals court erred in deciding that the state’s money-laundering statute - used to prosecute associates of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay - did not apply to transfers made via checks, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled today.

The court’s 9-0 decision also upheld the state’s election laws prohibiting corporations from making political contributions to candidates. DeLay’s associates - John Colyandro and Jim Ellis - had challenged the law as an unconstitutional infringement on First Amendment rights.

In 2002, the Public Integrity Section of the Travis County District charged Colyandro - working on behalf of Texans for a Republican Majority PAC - with accepting political contributions from corporations.

Colyandro and Ellis also were charged with money laundering by transferring $190,000 in corporate contributions to the Republican National Committee by a check, with a similar amount later returned to the state organization.

The men asked the trial court to dismiss the charges, arguing the money-laundering statute was unconstitutionally vague if it were interpreted to apply to transactions involving something other than cash, including checks.

:wow: Color me very, very surprised.

[tbyg52]

1. Well pick my jaw up off the floor!

:woohoo:

[Melissa G]

2. Belated Happy Dance!

:bounce::bounce::bounce::woohoo: :toast:

[onestepforward]

3. Excellent!

I saw his snarky smile on the news tonight!
:bounce: