AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Lawyers for former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said at his money laundering and conspiracy trial Monday he is being prosecuted for "good politics."
DeLay, a Republican, was indicted in 2005 on charges he illegally channeled $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to help elect GOP candidates in Texas. In her opening statement, Travis County Assistant District Attorney Beverly Mathews told the jury the alleged money laundering was a violation of Texas law -- and was part of a "larger, clever scheme" by DeLay to expand his political power by electing more Republicans to Congress, the Austin American-Statesman reported.