Tom Delay convicted of money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering

Earlier today a Texas jury convicted former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on charges DeLay illegally funneled corporate money to seven Texas House candidates in 2002.

Jurors deliberated for 19 hours before returning guilty verdicts against DeLay on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces up to life in prison on the money laundering charge.

After the verdicts were read, DeLay hugged his daughter, Danielle, and his wife, Christine. His lead attorney, Dick DeGuerin, said they planned to appeal the verdict.

“This is an abuse of power. It’s a miscarriage of justice, and I still maintain that I am innocent. The criminalization of politics undermines our very system and I’m very disappointed in the outcome,” DeLay told reporters outside the courtroom. He remains free on bond, and his sentencing was tentatively set to begin on Dec. 20.

While DeLay faces a sentence five years to life in prison on the money laundering charge and 2 to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy charge, I’m willing to bet he won’t actually see the inside of a prison and will instead be sentenced to a term of probation.