Judge Upholds DeLay Money-Laundering Charges
By James Gerstenzang and Ronald Brownstein, Times Staff Writers
WASHINGTON -- A Texas judge refused Monday to throw out money-laundering charges against Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, potentially derailing his effort to regain his House leadership post.
The judge did dismiss one charge against DeLay, which alleged conspiracy to violate Texas election law.
ADVERTISEMENT
The ruling came just hours before Vice President Dick Cheney, in a show of support for DeLay by the White House, headlined a campaign fundraiser for him in Houston.
DeLay was forced by House GOP rules to resign as majority leader -- the chamber's second-ranking position -- when he was indicted earlier this fall. A dismissal of all charges against DeLay would have allowed him to try to win back his post, which is being temporarily filled by Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.
Lacking a dismissal, DeLay's lawyers have sought a trial as early as January, hoping he would be acquitted and then could attempt to reclaim his leadership job. But now, the trial may not start for several months.
Some House Republicans are pressing their leaders not to wait for a resolution of DeLay's legal problems before the GOP caucus permanently selects a replacement for him....
Ironically, DeLay may be more politically vulnerable in part because of the redistricting. As reconfigured, his Houston-area district included many voters he had not previously represented -- and they are hearing more about him largely through news coverage of his indictment and other ethical controversies.
A CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll in the district released Monday found that 49 percent of registered voters said they planned to support a Democrat in next year's election; 36 percent said they would vote for DeLay.
latimes.com |
