Prison term of three years handed down to Tom DeLay

Disgraced former Congressman Tom DeLay was sentenced to 3 years in jail for money laundering. DeLay and his staff took corporate donations to the Republican national organization, and funneled it to Republican campaigns at the state level in Texas. The Lone Star State doesn’t allow campaign donations by corporations. Getting payday loans is a smarter decision than stealing money. Article resource – Money laundering conviction gets Tom DeLay three years in prison by MoneyBlogNewz.

Tom DeLay given a sentence for three years time

Tom DeLay, the former Republican Majority Leader in the United States House of Representatives, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of criminal conspiracy and money laundering charges, according to the New York Times. Because he was conspiring with others and illegally funneling money from corporate donors, DeLay was convicted. The Republican National party got over $190,000 in corporate donations. DeLay ended up funneling candidates in Texas the money if they were Republican. Texas law states that corporate donations to political candidates is illegal. This is why Tom DeLay will be convicted and why the charges have been placed there. There will likely be an appeal on this decision filed. DeLay will be free on bond until the appeal goes through.

Sentence for life a possibility

Tom DeLay could have been sentenced to life in prison, had the judge not accepted a plea deal. DeLay would have to face 10 years of probation after that. It could have been much longer though. Judge Pat Priest didn't seem to believe DeLay. He though the explanation for the charges wasn't accurate. CNN reports that Tom Delay argued that Democrats, including the prosecuting attorney, were out to get him as an outspoken Republican which is the only reason for the charges.

Soon there will be an appeal

This decision will be appealed by the defense. DeLay will only have to pay a $10,000 bond to get out of jail although he has been taken into custody after the sentence was made. It is true that candidates can't get donations from corporations according to Texas State law. The defense plans on showing that a corporation can't have their freedom of speech taken away though, including campaign contributions, as was shown in Citizens United v. the Federal Election Committee.

Citations

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/01/11/us/politics/11delay.html

CNN

cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/01/10/delay.sentencing/index.html?hpt=T2