One charge against DeLay dropped

Court refuses to reinstate DeLay's conspiracy charge
From the Associated Press
June 28, 2007


AUSTIN, TEXAS ?- The criminal case against Tom DeLay now hinges on two money-laundering charges after Texas' highest criminal court refused Wednesday to bring back a conspiracy charge.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled 5 to 4 against reinstating a count of conspiracy to violate the election code.

The former House majority leader resigned last year amid allegations that he violated campaign finance laws to funnel $190,000 in corporate contributions to Republicans in the state's 2002 legislative elections.

A state district judge threw out the conspiracy charge in December 2005 after lawyers argued that the law DeLay was accused of violating didn't take effect until 2003. A regional appeals court upheld that decision.

Two charges ?- money-laundering and conspiring to launder money ?- remain against the former congressman.

DeLay said Wednesday's ruling brought him closer to a resolution, and repeated his contention that the prosecution was politically motivated.

Prosecutor Ronnie Earle released a statement saying he would ask for a rehearing on the quashed charge.