*Breaking*
Prosecutors seek jail time for Tom DeLay - On Politics: Covering the US Congress, Governors, and the 2010 Election - USATODAY.com
Tom DeLay has been sentenced to three years in prison, according to news accounts.
We'll have more soon.
The state of Texas is seeking jail time for former House majority leader Tom DeLay, who was convicted in November on money laundering and conspiracy charges.
The Austin American-Statesmen reports that former House speaker Dennis Hastert, DeLay's former boss, attested to the character of his chief lieutenant.
DeLay, known as "The Hammer," was found guilty in November for illegally funneling $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to help elect Republicans to the Texas Legislature during the 2002 elections.
The former Houston-area congressman could face up to life in prison. DeLay's lawyers are seeking probation.
DeLay is expected to take the stand today to testify on his own behalf. DeLay, 63, maintained his innocence even after he was convicted, arguing a "miscarriage of justice" and denouncing what he called "the criminalization of politics."
DeLay, majority leader from 2003 to 2005, left Congress in 2006 because of his legal woes.
Matt Angle, a former congressional aide who heads up the Lone Star Project, said DeLay's legacy will live on in Texas no matter how much time prison time the Republican will serve.
"There is little reason to feel comfort in justice being served to Tom DeLay today," said Angle, an aide to former congressman Martin Frost, a Texas Democrat. "His corrupt, partisan legacy lives on in Austin and is being practiced enthusiastically by the Republicans currently control in Texas."
Former (R) House majority leader Tom DeLay
