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TribBlog: DeLay Convicted

Tom DeLay, the former U.S. House majority leader from Sugar Land, was convicted on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering this afternoon.

Tom DeLay, at the Travis County courthouse following his conviction on money-laundering charges.

Tom DeLay, the former U.S. House majority leader from Sugar Land, was convicted on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering this afternoon.

DeLay, who left office in 2006, was accused of taking $190,000 in corporate contributions to his Texans for a Republican Majority PAC to the Republican National Committee, which then contributed the same amount — but from non-corporate sources — to seven candidates of TRMPAC's choosing.

That, a Travis County jury decided, was illegal. They convicted the former congressman of money laundering and of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces prison time of two to 20 years on one charge; and of five to 99 or life on the other.

Two aides to DeLay — John Colyandro and Jim Ellis — were indicted on related charges, but neither has been tried.

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