Jackson Free Press

The Austin American-Statesman is reporting:

A Travis County grand jury today indicted U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on one count of criminal conspiracy, prompting the Sugar Land Republican to give up his leadership post in Congress.

"I have notified (House Speaker Dennis Hastert) that I will temporarily step aside from my position as majority leader pursuant to rules of the House Republican Conference and the actions of the Travis County District Attorney today," DeLay said in a statement.

The charge, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years incarceration, stems from his role with his political committee, Texans for a Republican Majority, a now-defunct organization that already had been indicted on charges of illegally using corporate money during the 2002 legislative elections.

Previous Comments

ID

103032

Comment

It's about time that Tom Delay got to go to the other house (Huntsville)where he belongs. I have always disliked him for his arrogance and inattention to his own shortcomings and imperfections. His deal-making and bullying skills will now really be tested as he tries to talk Bubba and Debo out of getting what they want. Yes, I know there is a better chance of my going to jail for his crime than him, but I'm still happy. Dr. Frist is next.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2005-09-28T12:05:38-06:00

ID

103033

Comment

Didn't you love the language in that report?....."The conspiracy indictment". Love it. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy....

Author

Lori G

Date

2005-09-28T12:08:02-06:00

ID

103034

Comment

Could someone clarify what seems to be a discrepancy here? DeLay-- ÖI will temporarily step aside from my position as majority leaderÖ Öthe GOP's rules demand that he resign his post as majority leader as he fights the charges. Is he resigning (leaving the post completely) or temporarily stepping aside (still able to retake the position without a vote if there is no conviction)?

Author

Rex

Date

2005-09-28T12:27:20-06:00

ID

103035

Comment

Karma is a frightful lass, no? :) Not sure if I ever told anyone this, but I actually did some work for Jack Abramoff (a Delay crony who is in even bigger trouble) when I lived in DC a few years ago... my ex-girlfriend did a lot of work for him, and one of my best friends was his executive assistant at his law firm. I even went to his house, even though I barely knew the guy, to help clean his frickin' garage. All the work my ex and I did was non-political, but I can tell you firsthand that he is an absolute scumbag, and if there is any justice in the world, he will be put away for a long, long time.

Author

Scott Albert Johnson

Date

2005-09-28T13:37:57-06:00

ID

103036

Comment

My comment abour Delay, Bubba and Debo is not meant to bash or impugn gays, should anyone wonder about that. Bubba and Debo aren't gay, they are condemned sexual abusers. "Stay up" everybody, meaning keep your head up. A jailed and well-on-his-way-to-death-row client told me this recently as I sadly looked through jail cells at his young and ignorant behind.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2005-09-28T13:49:14-06:00

ID

103037

Comment

Democrats/Republicans/Liberals/Independents....we're all dirty. Some of us are more careful than others. Nice knowing you Tom.

Author

Jocelyn

Date

2005-09-30T14:51:30-06:00

ID

103038

Comment

The Hammer is now indicted for money-laundering, too. Somebody should check to see if there is some drug money in there, too. I can see the headline, "The Hammer goes to the Slammer."

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2005-10-04T11:49:23-06:00