A state appeals court in Austin has overturned the money laundering conviction of former Texas Congressman and House Majority Leader Tom Delay.
Three years ago, DeLay was convicted for conspiring to illegally funnel $190,000 in corporate campaign contributions to Republican candidates for the Texas Legislature in 2002.
Delay has been free since his conviction while the case was appealed.
In a 2-to-1 opinion, the state’s Third Court of Appeals found the evidence presented in the case did not support the conviction.
The court’s opinion reads: “Rather than supporting an agreement to violate the Election Code, the evidence shows that the defendants were attempting to comply with the Election Code.”
Delay's appeal lawyer, Brian Wice, said today's decision represents vindication for his client.
“You may not like Tom or his politics, but at the end of the day, he didn’t violate the penal code, the election code or anything else that you can think of,” said Wice.
Two of Delay’s alleged co-conspirators pled guilty to charges of accepting illegal political contributions last year.
