DeLay money-laundering trial to begin

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay faces trial on money laundering charges as jury selection begins Tuesday in Texas.

DeLay has denied charges he laundered $190,000 of corporate funds into campaign donations during the 2002 election. He was indicted in 2005 and forced to resign as House speaker, then eventually decided not to return to Congress.

DeLay attorney Dick DeGuerin tried unsuccessfully to have the trial moved from Austin, arguing his client could not receive a fair trial in the Texas capital.

DeGuerin said the case was "highly political" and should have been heard in DeLay's home county of Fort Bend, CNN reported. He said the case started out over congressional redistricting that favored Republicans.

DeLay will be tried before his co-defendants, former aides Jim Ellis and John Colyandro, who are accused of making unlawful donations.