Tom DeLay, former Republican house Majority Leader was found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy by a Texas court on Wednesday.
The political figure was convicted of trying to channel towards the Republicans in the race or the Texas Legislature starting in 2002 some 190,000 dollars in corporate campaign donations.
Travis county DA Rosemary Lehmberg said that officials elected by the public should work honestly, and if they don’t, they should answer for their actions in accordance to law.
Facing two to 20 years in jail for conspiracy and five to 99 years for money laundering, DeLay, 63, is free on bail until his sentencing by the court on December 20.
DeLay said he was very disappointed with the verdict and that justice had not been done. But he said he will carry on.
DeLay’s attorney Dick DeGuerin said they would appeal the verdict. He believed the verdict was an emotional one because of all the money and the politics involved.
Elected to the House of Representatives in 1984, DeLay formerly owned a pest control company. He eventually rose to No. 2 in the chamber, with only the speaker above him. He was known for his vote counting and fund-raising skills.
DeLay was a part of the 1994 “Republican Revolution” that won control of the House after 40 years. He was then elected in a position that made him the third ranking Republican in the House Representative.
DeLay got victories on the legislation such as tax cuts and easing the federal regulations.
Amid rumors that he had links with Jack Abramoff, ex-Republican who had been investigated for influence peddling on Capitol Hill, Tom DeLay had to resign in 2006. He denied any wrongdoing though.
The Democrats won back the majority in the congress in 2006 on the back of argument that DeLay’s actions were part of a corruption in Republican-led congress.
