AUSTIN, Texas – A Texas jury says it has reached a verdict in the money laundering trial of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. The panel of six men and six women told Senior Judge Pat Priest on Wednesday it has made a decision. The verdict will be read in an Austin courtroom. It came after 29 hours of deliberations.
DeLay is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors claim the former Houston-area congressman helped illegally funnel $190,000 in corporate campaign donations to Texas legislative races in 2002 in a move that ultimately helped send more Republicans to Congress. DeLay has long denied any wrongdoing.
Jurors began deliberating Monday.
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