Tom DeLay campaign finance investigation 4338930 222268874 2008-06-28T12:38:47Z Chris Capoccia 286058 /* Background */ The '''Tom DeLay campaign finance investigation''' led by Texas Travis County District Attorney [[Ronnie Earle]] led to the indictment of [[Tom DeLay]] in [[2005]] on [[criminal law|criminal]] charges of conspiracy to violate election laws in 2002 by a [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]], Texas [[grand jury]]. In accordance with Republican Caucus rules, DeLay temporarily resigned from his position as House Majority Leader, and on [[January 7]] [[2006]], after pressure from fellow Republicans, announced that he would not seek to return. DeLay publicly denied the charges, saying that the actions of Earle, a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], have [[partisan (political)|partisan]] motivations. After DeLay moved to dismiss all charges, trial judge [[Pat Priest (judge)|Pat Priest]] dismissed one count of the indictment, which alleged conspiracy to violate election law. However, Judge Priest denied DeLay's motion to dismiss the more serious charges of money laundering and conspiracy to engage in money laundering, and the prosecution is proceeding on those charges. == Background == In the [[reapportionment]] following the [[U.S. Census, 1990|1990 census]], Texas Democrats drew what Republican political analyst Michael Barone argued was the most effective partisan [[gerrymander]] in the country. The Democrats won 70 percent of the Texas congressional seats in 1992, the first year in which the new districts were in effect, while taking half of the total number of votes cast for Congress statewide. After the [[U.S. Census, 2000|2000 census]], Republicans sought to redraw the district lines to support a [[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]] majority in the congressional delegation while Democrats desired to retain a plan similar to the existing lines. The two parties reached an impasse in the Texas Legislature, where Republicans controlled the Senate and Democrats controlled the House. As a result the new district lines were drawn by a three judge federal court panel that made as few changes as possible while adding the two new seats. In 2001 the Texas Legislative Redistricting Board (a panel composed of the state's Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller, Speaker of the House, Attorney-General, and Land Commissioner) redrew state legislative districts in accordance with the census. The new map that was adopted by the Republican-dominated board gave the GOP an edge in winning the Texas House of Representatives, still controlled at that time by the Democrats. During the [[U.S. House election, 2002|2002 elections]] under these new maps, DeLay aggressively raised money for Republican candidates under [[Texans for a Republican Majority|TRMPAC]]. In October 2002, Texans for a Republican Majority made contributions, through several channels, to Nelson Balido of San Antonio ($2,000), Byron Cook of Corsicana ($2,000), Wayne Christian of Center ($2,000), Rick Green of Dripping Springs ($2,000), and Eddie Shauberger of Liberty ($2,000), among others.<ref>{{cite web | last=Copelin | first=Laylan | title=Craddick was used as courier as GOP group tried to score points | publisher=Texans for Public Justice | date=2004-2-18 | url=http://www.tpj.org/page_view.jsp?pageid=434&pubid=263 | accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> It has since been alleged that TRMPAC was used to funnel illegal corporate donations into the campaigns of Republican candidates for State Representative. The GOP victories in 2002 resulted in their control of the Texas House in addition to the Senate. As a result, the Texas Legislature was called into session in 2003 to [[2003 Texas redistricting|redistrict the state's congressional lines]] in favor of the Republican Party. A number of Democrats left the state, going to Oklahoma, and later [[New Mexico]], to deny a quorum for voting. [[Helen Giddings]], the recognized negotiator, was arrested in May 2003, but later the arrest was called a mistake. The political police dragnet was at taxpayer expense.<ref>[http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/printer_051503B.shtml Homeland Security Dept. Searches for Texas Democrats<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Texas House Speaker Craddick apologized to Giddings and then ordered the Sergeant at Arms to incarcerate Giddings in the state capital buildings. On [[May 26]] [[2005]], a Texas judge ruled that a committee formed by DeLay had violated state law by not disclosing over $600,000 worth of fundraising money, mostly from the credit card industry, including $25,000 from [[Sears, Roebuck & Co.]]<ref>[http://tx.cpusa.org/del16.htm Working Class News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, and $50,000 from [[Diversified Collections Services]] of San Leandro.<ref>{{cite web | last=Austin | first=Christy | title=Deal calls for funding program on companies' role in democracy | publisher =Texans for Public Justice | date=2004-12-10 | url=http://www.tpj.org/page_view.jsp?pageid=768 | accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> Some of the money was spent on manning phone banks and posting wanted posters on Federal Highways calling for the arrest of Democratic legislators with an 800 number to the Texas Department of Public Safety to call if seen after the Democratic [[caucus]] left for Oklahoma in order to prevent the [[redistricting]] legislation from passing. The Federal Highway Administration offered to cooperate in arresting the Democrats, forcing the Democrats to travel to Oklahoma by plane instead of by automobile. Five Texas congressional seats changed hands from Democrats to Republicans during the 2004 election, in part because of the new redistricting. On [[October 6]] [[2004]], the House Ethics Committee unanimously admonished DeLay on two counts. The first count stated that DeLay "created the appearance that donors were being provided with special access to Representative DeLay regarding the then-pending energy legislation." The second count said that DeLay "used federal resources in a political issue" by asking the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] and [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] to help track Texas legislators during the battle over Texas redistricting.<ref>[http://www.house.gov/ethics/DeLay_memo.htm DeLay Memo<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> At the time of the latter admonishment, the House Ethics committee deferred action on another count related to fundraising while that matter was subject to state criminal action. That state investigation eventually led to the felony indictment on [[September 28]] [[2005]]. In 2005, the [[Federal Elections Commission]] [[audit]]ed ARMPAC, DeLay's political action committee. The FEC found that ARMPAC had failed to report $322,306 in debts owed to vendors, and that it had incorrectly paid for some committee expenses using funds from an account designated for non-federal elections. The FEC also found that ARMPAC had misstated the balances of its receipts and ending cash-on-hand for 2001, and of its receipts, disbursements, and beginning and ending cash-on-hand for 2002. ARMPAC corrected the omission of the debts in amended reports, and is reviewing the portion of the audit dealing with incorrect payment for expenses.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8914517/ | title=FEC finds misreporting by DeLay committee | publisher=The Associated Press | date=11 August 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-17}}</ref> Earle, a Democrat, has indicted mostly Democratic office-holders in Texas in addition to several Republicans, including an unsuccessful 1993 investigation of Republican Sen. [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] on charges of official misconduct and records tampering. == Grand jury indictments == {{Infobox Criminal | subject_name = Thomas Dale Delay | image_name = TomDeLay.jpg | image_size = 150px | image_caption = Tom DeLay | date_of_birth = [[April 8]], [[1947]] | place_of_birth = {{flagicon|US}} [[Laredo, Texas]], [[USA]] | date_of_death = | place_of_death = | charge = [[conspiracy (civil)|conspiracy]] to violate [[election law]], [[money laundering]] | penalty = indicted but yet to be tried | status = free on [[bail]], trial pending | occupation = politician, former [[Congressman]] | spouse = Christine Furrh DeLay | parents = | children = }} {{wikinews|U.S. watchdog group lists "most corrupt members of congress"|date=October 5, 2005}} *[[September 8]] [[2005]]: A federal grand jury indicted TRMPAC, which allegedly accepted an illegal political contribution of $100,000 from the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care and the Texas Association of Business, on four charges, including unlawful political advertising, unlawful contributions to a political committee and unlawful expenditures such as those to a graphics company and political candidates. *[[September 28]] [[2005]]: A Travis County grand jury operating under Travis County District Attorney [[Ronnie Earle]] indicted DeLay for conspiring to violate Texas state election law stemming from issues dealing with his involvement in TRMPAC. Texas law prohibits corporate contributions in state legislative races. The indictment charged that TRMPAC accepted corporate contributions, laundered the money through the [[Republican National Committee]], and directed it to favored Republican candidates in Texas. *[[September 30]] [[2005]]: In response to a motion to dismiss his initial indictment, Earle sought a second indictment of DeLay from a second grand jury. That jury refused to indict. Contrary to normal Texas procedure, a "no bill" document was not publicly released, and no public announcement was made regarding the result until after Earle had presented evidence to a third grand jury and obtained an indictment. *[[October 3]] [[2005]]: Earle sought and received a new indictment of DeLay from a third grand jury in Austin on charges of conspiracy and money laundering. The next day, in a written statement, Earle publicly admitted that he had presented the case to three grand juries, and that one of the three had refused to indict DeLay. Earle said that he had presented the new money-laundering charge to another grand jury because the previous grand jury had expired. DeLay's lawyers said that Earle should not have waited to make the statement until after 5 P.M. that day. *[[October 3]] [[2005]]: DeLay's lawyers filed a motion to throw out the charge of conspiracy to violate election law as fraudulent, claiming it was a violation of the U.S. Constitution's ban on [[ex-post facto]] applications of law. DeLay's lawyers claim that, in 2002, the crime of conspiracy did not apply to Texas election law. However, George Dix, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said that charges of criminal conspiracy could legally be applied to any felony (including violation of election law) committed prior to the 2003 law. He characterized the 2003 change cited by DeLay's lawyers as a clarification of existing law, saying, "It isn't unheard of&ndash;the Legislature passing a law to make clear what the law is." Because the Texas Penal Code defines laundered money only as money gained as the "proceeds of criminal activity", DeLay's lawyers maintain that misuse of corporate donations, even if it occurred, could not constitute money laundering. *[[October 7]] [[2005]]: DeLay's attorneys filed a motion in court to have the latest indictment thrown out, charging that Earle coerced the grand jury and illegally discussed grand jury information and encouraged others to do the same.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9623710/ | title=DeLay lawyers want charges thrown out | publisher=The Associated Press | date=October 7, 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-17}}</ref> *[[October 19]] [[2005]]: A Texas court issued a warrant for DeLay's arrest. DeLay surrendered at the [[Harris County, Texas]] jail the next day, was booked, was photographed, was fingerprinted, and posted a $10,000 bond.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9771955/ | title=Smiling DeLay photo no help to Democrats | publisher=The Associated Press | date=21 October 2005|accessdate=2006-08-07}}</ref> *[[October 21]] [[2005]]: DeLay appeared in court.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/10/21/delay.court/ | title=DeLay faces Texas judge | publisher=CNN | date=21 October 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-17}}</ref> *[[November 1]] [[2005]]: DeLay prevailed in a motion to remove assigned Travis County judge [[Bob Perkins]] from the case. Perkins had donated to Democratic candidates and organizations, including MoveOn.org. DeLay's attorneys argued Perkins could not be publicly perceived as impartial under the circumstances. DeLay is also attempting to have the venue changed from Democratic-leaning Travis County. *[[November 3]] [[2005]]: [[Pat Priest (judge)|Pat Priest]], a "semi-retired" judge, was chosen to preside over the case.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-11-04-DeLay-Judge_x.htm?csp=34 | title=Third DeLay judge appointed, but confusion remains | publisher=[[USA Today]] | date=4 November 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-17}}</ref> *[[November 22]] [[2005]]: DeLay filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002640000_webdelay22.html | title=Judge declines to rule on dismissing charges against DeLay | publisher=The Associated Press | last=Austin | first=Liz | date=22 November 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-17}}</ref> *[[December 5]] [[2005]]: Judge Priest dismissed one count, conspiracy to violate election law, but let stand two counts alleging money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,177753,00.html | title=DeLay Conspiracy Charges Tossed, Money Laundering Case Remains | publisher=The Associated Press | date=6 December 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-17}}</ref> *[[April 19]], [[2006]]: The Texas Third Court of Appeals upheld the decision to dismiss the charge of conspiracy to violate election law.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jeannie |last=Shawl |title=Texas appeals court upholds dismissal of DeLay criminal conspiracy charge |url=http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/04/texas-appeals-court-upholds-dismissal.php |publisher=JURIST |date=2006-04-19 |accessdate=2008-06-28}}</ref> *[[May 19]], [[2006]]: Prosecutors filed an appeal to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest criminal court, to reinstate the conspiracy indictment.<ref>{{cite news | title=Prosecutors appeal on DeLay indictment | date=May 20, 2006 | publisher=The Associated Press | url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/05/20/prosecutors_appeal_on_delay_indictment/}}</ref> *[[June 27]], [[2007]]: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled 5-4 to uphold the decisions of the lower courts and throw out the conspiracy to violate election law charge.<ref>[http://www.cca.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/HTMLopinionInfo.asp?OpinionID=15632 Texas Judiciary Online - HTML Opinion<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Indictments of associates=== On [[September 13]] [[2005]], a federal grand jury indicted ARMPAC's executive director [[James W. Ellis|Jim Ellis]] and TRMPAC's former executive director [[John Colyandro]], who already faced charges of [[money laundering]] in the case, as well as 13 counts of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution. The charges were brought before the grand jury by Earle. Joe Turner, who represents Colyandro, has said that he does not want a [[jury trial]] in Austin, because he believes that "DeLay and Republicans are hated [there]". The indictment charges that DeLay, Colyandro and Ellis conspired to pass corporate contributions to candidates for the Texas legislature in violation of Texas [[campaign finance]] law. Allegedly, several corporations (such as Diversified Collection Services and Sears Roebuck) made contributions to TRMPAC. The indictment charged that TRMPAC then sent a check for $190,000 to the [[Republican National Committee]], made payable to "RNSEC" (the [[Republican National State Elections Committee]]), along with a list of state-level Republican candidates who should receive the money. According to the indictment, the Republican candidates in Texas did in fact receive the money so designated.<ref>{{cite news | title=Delay [''sic''] Is Indicted in Texas Case and Forfeits G.O.P. House Post | publisher=The New York Times | date=28 September 2005 | page=1}}</ref> A Travis County, Texas, grand jury issued the indictment. Grand jury foreman William Gibson said that there were "stacks and stacks" of evidence, and, "As far as we're concerned, they presented us enough evidence and witnesses that we felt we were on the right track. I would not have put my name on that grand-jury indictment unless I felt we had ample probable cause."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002532529_jury01.html | title=Grand jury foreman cites "stacks" of evidence against DeLay | publisher=[[The Dallas Morning News]] | author=Christy Hoppe | date=1 October 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-18}}</ref> Gibson told KLBJ Radio in an interview that his decision to indict Tom DeLay was based on news stories that the Texas Association of Business mailings against candidate James Spencer, a friend of his, were coordinated with TRMPAC.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gopbloggers.org/mt/archives/002223.html audio and transcript | title=Jury Foreman Gibson Said Evidence in DeLay Case Didn't Matter | publisher=GOP Bloggers | author=Matt Margolis | date=5 October 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-20}}</ref> Earle's investigation of DeLay is the subject of a [[documentary film|documentary]], ''[[The Big Buy: Tom DeLay's Stolen Congress]]''. The filmmakers went to cover the [[2003 Texas redistricting]] battle but eventually focused primarily on the grand jury investigation. Earle cooperated with the documentarians but DeLay repeatedly refused to meet with them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/07/movies/07green.html?ex=1299387600&en=d55e7eac1a714407&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss |title=Opponents of DeLay Make Use of a Film |org=New York Times |date=March 7, 2006 |author=Halbfinger, David}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york200510041617.asp | title=The DeLay Case: Lawyers Intend to Subpoena Makers of The Big Buy | author=[[Byron York|York, Byron]] | publisher=The National Review | date=October 4, 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york200509301738.asp | title= The Movie: Ronnie Earle, on a Mission from God | last=York | first=Byron | publisher=The National Review | date=September 30, 2005 | accessdate=2006-04-18}}</ref> ===DeLay's response to the indictments=== DeLay blasted the charges as a "sham" and an act of "political retribution," perpetuated by his opponents. He added, "I have done nothing wrong, I have violated no law, no regulation, no rule of the House."<ref name="delayindictedcnn">{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/28/delay.indict/ | title=DeLay indicted, steps down as majority leader | publisher=CNN | date=September 29, 2005 | accessdate=2006-08-30}}</ref> He retained former U.S. Representative [[Edwin Bethune]] of [[Arkansas]], a Washington, D.C., lawyer and lobbyist, who had earlier represented Gingrich during his ethics cases. DeLay and his attorney, Dick DeGeurin, have claimed that Earle has a history of indicting his political enemies. Because of Republican party rules regarding leadership and indictments, DeLay stepped down from his position as [[House Majority Leader]]. Serving his last day on [[June 9]] [[2006]], Delay stepped down, "to pursue new opportunities to engage in the important cultural and political battles of our day from an arena outside of the U.S. House of Representatives."<ref>[http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/DeLay_notifies_Speaker_of_House_he_0511.html The Raw Story | DeLay notifies Speaker of the House he will resign June 9<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> White House spokesman [[Scott McClellan]] commented by saying that President Bush still viewed DeLay as "a good ally, a leader who we have worked closely with to get things done for the American people." On [[January 7]] [[2006]], DeLay announced that he would not seek to return to his position as Majority Leader. DeLay's lawyers have asserted that there are various problems with the indictments. On [[October 3]] [[2005]], DeLay's lawyers filed a motion to get the indictment of conspiracy to violate election law thrown out as fraudulent, claiming it was a violation of the [[U.S. Constitution]]'s ban on [[ex-post facto]] applications of law. DeLay's lawyers claim that, in 2002, the crime of conspiracy did not apply to Texas election law. However, George Dix, a professor of law at the [[University of Texas at Austin]], believes that charges of criminal conspiracy could legally be applied to ''any'' felony (including violation of election law) committed prior to the 2003 law, and characterised the 2003 change cited by DeLay's lawyers as a clarification of existing law, stating "It isn't unheard of — the Legislature passing a law to make clear what the law is." While the Texas Penal Code defines laundered money only as money gained as the "proceeds of criminal activity," DeLay's lawyers maintain the corporate donations came from normal and legal business activity. ===Current Status of the DeLay indictments=== While Earle recently announced that he will not be seeking re-election, he stated that, "There are particular cases pending that are enormously important to this state, this country, and democracy itself. If they are not resolved during the forthcoming last year of my term I will offer my assistance on those matters on a pro bono basis to my successor." <ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8THGFT81.html Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Texas/Southwest<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> DeLay and two Republican fundraisers are still awaiting trial. <ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8THGFT81.html Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Texas/Southwest<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Notes== <div class="references-small"> <references /> </div> == External links == *[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=10302 Analysis of alleged flaws in first indictment] *[http://fl1.findlaw.com/news.findlaw.com/wp/docs/delay/delay92805ind.pdf Copy of conspiracy indictment] ''Texas v Colyandro, Ellis & DeLay'' *[http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/statesman/metro/100405_delayindictment.pdf Copy of money laundering indictment] ''Texas v Colyandro, Ellis & DeLay'' === Documentary === *[http://tomdelaymovie.com/ The Big Buy: Tom DeLay's Stolen Congress] A critical documentary focusing on Tom DeLay's alleged involvement in illegal corporate political contributions and the 2003 redistricting of Texas. [[Category:American political scandals|DeLay, Tom]] [[Category:Congressional scandals|DeLay, Tom]]