Problems for DeLay's Buddies

“WASHINGTON — A Texas grand jury indicted Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, yesterday on charges of money laundering, raising new and more serious allegations than the conspiracy charge lodged against the former House majority leader last week.
[...]
One count of the new indictment accuses DeLay of conspiracy to commit money laundering. It says he agreed to launder $190,000 in corporate contributions through an arm of the Republican National Committee in Washington, allowing the money to be passed illegally into the election campaigns of Republican candidates in Texas. Texas law prohibits the use of corporate money in political campaigns.

The aim of the assistance was to ensure that Republicans could gain control of the Texas House, and thus reorder the state's congressional districts in a manner that would favor the election of Republicans. The stratagem worked: Five more Republicans were elected to the U.S. House from the state last year.

The other new count alleges that DeLay "did knowingly, conduct, supervise and facilitate" the transfer of the $190,000 to Washington and back to Texas in violation of the state's money-laundering statutes.
[...]
[T]he potential consequences for DeLay are more dire. Both money-laundering crimes are more serious felonies, and the maximum punishment is life in jail.
[...]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002538130_delay04.html”

“I wonder why you peeps aren't crowing about that second secret grand jury that refused to indict? A third grand jury was needed for that. The DA knew his first indictment was too weak, so he went grand jury shopping.

LOL, you can indict anyone for just about anything.

Dem witch hunting.
If he is found guilty, I'll be shocked.”

“I've said before and I'll say again, couldn't happen to a nicer fella.”

“Dang, Stovey. Just where do you get your information?

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3382749”

“Dang, Stovey. Just where do you get your information?...
VioLiN
1:45:20 PM

I'm going to pull an 'Ewker'. You don't need to know my source. ;-)”

“Well... since it's so slim on facts, I'll guess AM radio.”

“LOL”

“Violin, exactly which part of Stovies statement do you think is inaccurate?”

““If he's guilty I say string 'em up by his balls. Until then, he's innocent. Or don't we do the due proccess thing any more? :)”
Frankenigal
7:48:24 PM

I'm not sure I would even go for that, Nigal. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Dem) has done the same thing Delay has been accused of and few are calling for her to be indicted. Of course she is a liberal Dem so it's alright for her to do such evil things.”

“Waiting for Nigal to comment that Nancy doesn't have balls..... ;-)”

“Pelosi is a money launderer?

You'd better be able to find a source for that (libel).

I don't think a reasonable defense for a felony is "everybody is doing it". It may wash in conservative circles, but I doubt a jury would buy it.


NoProb - 1) read my Houston Chronicle link. 2) Is there such thing as a non-secret grand jury?”

“LMAO!”

“Read YOUR link? You gotta be kidding. No way I'm clicking on another of your stupid links.”

“HAL--@$62.64 share.”

“As usual, stovie can't back up anything with facts. It's good to have him back, he is such a model republican sheep.

Welcome back Stovie!”

“Nancy Pelosi has not resigned, even though she was found guilty of having a "fund-raising committee. . .improperly accept[] donations over federal limits" and fined $21,000.

Pelosi was fined for having a "fund-raising committee. . .improperly accept[] donations over federal limits." Her political action committee, Team Majority, "was one of two PAC's Pelosi used to fund candidates. . ." The multiple PACs went over the limits by law, according to federal elections officials.



So Pelosi set up two PAC's to circumvent the limit on what one could do!

I'll start taking you screaming libbies more seriously when you clean up your own act.
Too bad there are so few of you with any standards. Hold yourself to the same standards you hold Repubs and you might have some credibility.”

“source?”

“Old news.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/california/2004-02-11-pelosi-pac-fined_x.htm
last edited: 10/05/05 3:05:32 PM”

“Stovey should have given Michael J. Gaynor credit for his op-ed http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/article_9730.shtml

I see he failed to get excited about Mike Ferguson's (R-N.J.) largest ever FEC fine ($210,000) in 2003 or the dozen other Rebuplicans fined during the last cycle.”

“Yeah, the Dems have had almost two years to get rid of her and haven't.


Not to be uncivil or anything but BB has earned his 'nonperson' status with me for his uncalled for extreme personal attacks. I have him on ignore. I will not be hiking with him.”

“By the way. I have tons more respect for violin than BB.


I feel ashamed for that attack. ;-)
If I was a true Christian, I wouldn't have said that.
last edited: 10/05/05 3:54:18 PM”

“I must be doing something wrong.”

“It was that nice email you sent me after I was flooded out from the hurricane.
You BassTurd! ;-)”

“Yes folks, deep deep deep deep down, the Vile Man has a spark of decency.”

“I am a non-email-sending BassTurd.
~hangs head~”

“So what happens if these charges are found to be trumped up and false? Will it be the scandal of the year then and everyone will say he got away with it? I’m all for hanging the guy if he did it but I’ll tell ya what; I’m so sick of the conservatives not fighting back for their own. They just roll over and take it in the ass from the far left Squeaky Wheelers.”

“lol - well that's another issue altogether Nigal. How - who has rolled over?”

“Nigal, Nigal, Nigal........
Dream on! The double standard is very alive and well.”

““Yes folks, deep deep deep deep down, the Vile Man has a spark of decency.”
GreasyGrimyGopherGutsStomper
4:04:23 PM
10/05/05

I promiss not to say that anymore, violin. Don't want to screw up your standing with the other leftie wingnuts. ;-)”

““Nigal, Nigal, Nigal........
Dream on! The double standard is very alive and well.”

Oh I know that and that's the problem. I won't fight for those who won't fight for themselves.”

“A fine by a Federal Election Commission and an indictment are two very different things. I agree that a fine connotates a wrongdoing according to rules or laws, however, an indictment is breaking the law in a criminal way.”

“Money laundering is a first degree felony. DeLay faces five years probation up to life in prison, plus a fine.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering is a second degree felony. He faces two years probation to 20 years in prison, plus a fine.”

“"I agree that a fine connotates a wrongdoing according to rules or laws, however, an indictment is breaking the law in a criminal way.”

No, an indictment is an accusation, not evidence of the crime. Only a trial will bear out the validity of the accusation. We do still have the motto of innocent until proven guilty for everyone, republican and democrat, right?”

“Other jury declined to indict DeLay
Texas prosecutor described as angry
By Larry Margasak and Suzanne Gamboa, Associated Press | October 6, 2005

WASHINGTON -- A Texas prosecutor tried to convince a grand jury that Representative Tom DeLay gave tacit approval to a series of laundered campaign contributions, and when jurors declined to indict, he became angry, according to two people directly familiar with the proceeding.

The grand jury was one of three that considered whether there was probable cause to indict DeLay. Two other grand juries did indict the former House majority leader, who had to step aside temporarily under Republican rules.

Both indictments focused on an alleged scheme to provide corporate political donations to Texas legislative candidates in violation of state law.

The two people interviewed, who commented anonymously because of grand jury secrecy, said Travis County prosecutor Ronnie Earle became visibly angry when the grand jurors last week signed a document declining to indict, known as a ''no bill."

One person said the sole evidence Earle presented was a DeLay interview with the prosecutor, in which DeLay said he was generally aware of activities of his associates. He is charged in an alleged money- laundering scheme to funnel corporate donations to Texas legislative candidates in violation of state law.

The person said that Earle tried to convince the jurors that if DeLay ''didn't say 'Stop it,' he gave his tacit approval."

After the grand jurors declined to go forward, the mood ''was unpleasant," the other person said, describing Earle's reaction.

DeLay and political aides Jim Ellis and John Colyandro were indicted last week by another grand jury, accused of criminal conspiracy to violate Texas election laws.

After the second grand jury declined to indict, a third grand jury brought money laundering charges against DeLay on Monday.

Dick DeGuerin, attorney for DeLay, sought to have the original conspiracy charge dismissed Monday by arguing in a court filing that contended the indictment was based on a law that the Legislature changed in 2003. The original indictment alleges that the illegal acts date to 2002.

Earle said late Tuesday that he sought the second indictment of DeLay on Monday because he became aware of additional evidence.


http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/10/06/other_jury_declined_to_indict_delay?mode=PF”

“At least he smiled for his mug shot.

”

“Thanks lee! I owe you $5.

If he's convicted, I'll buy you a pony.”

“Hah! You may as well pony up then.

The defendant's guilty; what's the charge?”

“The smoking gun has it: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1020051delay1.html

They have a larger version of the warrant as well (suitable for framing): http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1020051delay2.html”

“He hired a good attorney it looks like...

"AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Republican Rep. Tom DeLay's fate could hinge on a Stetson-wearing defense attorney who not only represented Waco cult leader David Koresh and helped a cross-dressing millionaire beat a murder rap, but is also a Democrat."

Rest of story...
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20051020/D8DC03I00.html


Everyone hates lawyers...untill they need one, then they want the meanest, nastiest dog in the junk yard..LOL.
last edited: 10/20/05 4:07:29 PM”

“Y'all don't think you're being played for fools do you?

Consider what former DeLay aide, Michael Scanlon says in this memo: http://indian.senate.gov/2005hrgs/110205hrg/110205exhibits.pdf

"The wackos get their information through the Christian right, Christian radio, mail, the internet and telephone trees... Simply put, we want to bring out the wackos to vote against something and make sure the rest of the public lets the whole thing slip past them."


Here, in a nutshell, is the election strategy used by many in the Republican party. Feeling used yet? Respected?”

“The Justice Department delivered a subpoena to Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) this week, requesting documents to aid in its ongoing investigation of GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Ney disclosed Friday.

Ney has not been informed that he is the subject of any investigation, according to his spokesman, and said he would cooperate with the probe.

"As I have said repeatedly, we will cooperate fully with any inquiry. I voluntarily provided information to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee last year and I have offered to make myself available to meet with the House Ethics Committee," Ney said in a statement.

Abramoff was recently indicted on wire and mail fraud charges in Florida stemming from his acquisition of a casino boat chain. He remains under investigation in Washington by a task force of federal agencies led by the Justice Department. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee and Senate Finance Committee have also been conducting separate inquiries into Abramoff.

Ney said he could not comment on the specifics of the DOJ investigation.

"I believe…that although the government's investigation of Mr. Abramoff has been well-publicized through other sources, it is inappropriate for my office to comment in any detail about an ongoing investigation," he said.

A source close to Ney said the subpoena sought documents rather than testimony.

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/110305/ney.html”

“Shake it, baby shake!!

Come on over, whole lotta shakin' goin' on!!!”

“ha-HA!

And his other crooked friends across The Pond... like Margaret Thatcher!

(yeah, I know...Old News, but Fun!)”

“WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 - The lobbyist Jack Abramoff asked for $9 million in 2003 from the president of a West African nation to arrange a meeting with President Bush and directed his fees to a Maryland company now under federal scrutiny, according to newly disclosed documents.

The African leader, President Omar Bongo of Gabon, met with President Bush in the Oval Office on May 26, 2004, 10 months after Mr. Abramoff made the offer. There has been no evidence in the public record that Mr. Abramoff had any role in organizing the meeting or that he received any money or had a signed contract with Gabon.

White House and State Department officials described Mr. Bush's meeting with President Bongo, whose government is regularly accused by the United States of human rights abuses, as routine. The officials said they knew of no involvement by Mr. Abramoff in the arrangements.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/10/politics/10lobby.html?hp&ex=1131598800&en=c143a0d022b49971&ei=5094&partner=homepage”

“Bedtime for Bongo?”

“Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- For more than a year, Michael Scanlon has been a shadowy presence behind former partner Jack Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist at the center of a corruption probe. Now, Scanlon may help prosecutors raise the investigation to a higher level.

Scanlon, a former aide to Representative Tom DeLay, is scheduled to appear today in U.S. District Court to present a plea bargain with the Justice Department likely to lead to his cooperation with investigators. His testimony would ratchet up the pressure on Abramoff and aid prosecutors in widening the investigation to members of Congress, such as Republicans DeLay and Representative Robert Ney of Ohio.

Scanlon, 35, is the second person to face criminal charges in connection with the Justice Department-led probe of the 46- year-old Abramoff. In October, a federal grand jury indicted the White House's former chief procurement officer, David Safavian, once an Abramoff associate, for obstruction and making false statements.

``Now you have two people instead of one,'' said Stan Brand, a former counsel to the House of Representatives when it was controlled by the Democrats. ``What you're building is a ladder. You have Abramoff at the intermediate step, elected officials above him, and Scanlon and Safavian underneath.''

Beyond the potential legal concerns, Scanlon's cooperation with authorities may spell political jeopardy for Republicans leading into next year's elections, especially if he helps draw other lawmakers into the investigation. ``He knows where all the bodies are buried,'' said a congressional aide who worked with Scanlon.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aLHX6Q_LZC4A&refer=us”

“prison de-layed. :)”

“This could cut very, very deeply into the money raising arm of the RepubliCON party.



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An ex-aide to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and partner to a powerful Republican lobbyist pleaded guilty to conspiracy on Monday under a deal in which he is cooperating with prosecutors probing alleged influence-buying involving the lobbyist and lawmakers.

Michael Scanlon, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in defrauding Indian tribes of millions of dollars and lavishing gifts upon a member of the U.S. Congress.

He was ordered to pay $19.7 million in restitution to the tribes, could serve up to five years in prison and be fined $250,000 and must cooperate with prosecutors.

Scanlon left Delay's office and become a partner to wealthy lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who has been indicted for fraud in a separate case in Florida. The plea agreement has been seen as a major advance in prosecutors' efforts to investigate alleged influence-buying involving Abramoff, members of Congress and government agencies.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1335314”