Appeals court considers DeLay case

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A Texas court said it would consider whether to hear an appeal from U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, regarding money-laundering charges.

DeLay has sought to have the charges dismissed or have an expedited trial as he works to regain his position as majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress reconvenes late next month and DeLay is trying to have the case completed by then.

DeLay, who says the allegations are politically driven, was forced to resign the leadership position when he was indicted Sept. 28. Last Friday, DeLay's attorneys asked the court to either dismiss all charges or order an immediate trial.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said Tuesday it would consider hearing that appeal and gave prosecutors a week to file documents regarding the charges.

All steps toward trial had been stopped when Travis County, Texas, District Attorney Ronnie Earle appealed a lower-court judge's dismissal of some charges against DeLay. DeLay's attorneys claim the move was a political ploy to keep the representative from regaining his leadership post.

DeLay and two other men still are charged with money-laundering by allegedly using corporate donations for Republican candidates in state races in 2002, which would be a violation of Texas law.