AUSTIN - A Travis County grand jury reindicted two political associates of U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to change technical language in the original indictment, District Attorney Ronnie Earle said Thursday.
The new indictments again charge John Colyandro and James Ellis with money laundering, but describe alleged illegal transactions as involving "funds" rather than a "check," Earle said in a written statement. The men worked for DeLay's fund-raising committee Texans for a Republican Majority.
The money laundering indictments, along with indictments alleging unlawful acceptance of corporate contributions, are related to the 2002 state legislative campaigns, when Republicans took control of the Texas House of Representatives. Colyandro and Ellis have asked a judge to dismiss the indictments. A hearing is set for Tuesday before Judge Bob Perkins.
The indictments allege Colyandro and Ellis committed money laundering by facilitating a transaction involving criminal proceeds when $190,000 raised from corporations by Texans for a Republican Majority was sent to the Republican National State Elections Committee, Earle said. That national committee then made contributions to 2002 state legislative candidates supported by TRMPAC, the indictments allege.
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