SuckOnThis

WASHINGTON - A Texas grand jury on Wednesday charged Rep. Tom DeLay and two political associates with conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme, an indictment that could force him to step down as House majority leader.

Earlier, lawyers for DeLay were at the criminal justice center in Austin on Wednesday, waiting to learn whether a grand jury ? in the final hours of its term ? would indict the Texas Republican in a campaign finance investigation.

?It?s a skunky indictment if they have one,? DeLay attorney Bill White told reporters before the indictment. ?Like a dead skunk in the middle of the road. It stinks to high heaven.?

The grand jury, made its last day a cliffhanger for DeLay, and demonstrated a recent interest in conspiracy charges that could bring more indictments in the investigation of DeLay?s state political operation.

House GOP rules require any member of the elected leadership to step down temporarily if indicted, and it would be up to the rank and file to select an interim replacement. Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., could make a recommendation, whether choosing to elevate another member of the leadership or tapping an alternative to reduce the possibility of a struggle if DeLay were cleared and then sought to reclaim his post.

Staunch DeLay ally Rep. John Carter sought to rally House Republicans around DeLay at the weekly closed-door caucus meeting on Wednesday morning. Carter, a former Texas judge, urged members to stand behind their leader and was warmly received, according to an aide who was present.

DeLay associates indicted
DeLay, who represents a Houston-area district, has been under investigation by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle for possible illegal fund-raising and use of corporate funds by his Texans for a Republican Majority committee, or TRMPAC.

Texas law generally prohibits corporate money from campaign activities.

Three men -- John Colyandro, Jim Ellis and Warren Robold --with links to DeLay and the committee were indicted last year in the case and are awaiting trial. They were charged with accepting a total of $600,000 in illegal corporate contributions.

On Sept. 8, TRMPAC and lobby group Texas Association of Business were indicted on charges of illegally funneling corporate donations into the 2002 elections for Texas Legislature.

TRMPAC?s money and expertise helped Republicans win control of the Texas legislature for the first time since the post-Civil War Reconstruction era.

At DeLay?s urging, the legislature then conducted a controversial remapping of congressional districts that resulted in more Republicans from Texas being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

DeLay has denied any wrongdoing, saying he was not involved in TRMPAC?s day-to-day activities. His office declined to comment on a report in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper that an indictment was possible.

Political witch hunt?
DeLay has repeatedly accused Earle, a Democrat, of conducting a political witch hunt. DeLay met with Earle several weeks ago to explain his limited role in the committee.

The grand jury, whose proceedings are not open to the public, has focused in recent days on DeLay?s possible role in one particular transaction, the newspaper said.

In September 2002, Colyandro, TRMPAC?s executive director, sent a blank check to Ellis, who was DeLay?s primary fund-raiser in Washington.

According to a money-laundering indictment against the two men, Ellis is accused of having the Republican National Committee launder $190,000 of corporate donations into noncorporate money that was distributed to seven candidates for the Texas House of Representatives.