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WASHINGTON (AP) - Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay says he thanks God for his acquittal on money laundering charges, calling the prosecution, "an outrageous criminalization of politics."
Lunching in the Capitol with other Texas Republicans Thursday, DeLay said he was on his knees praying with prominent religious conservatives on Capitol Hill when his lawyer called with the news that a Texas appeals court had overturned his conviction. DeLay told reporters that he never felt burdened by the case, even though he says it cost him millions of dollars.
DeLay was found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering for helping to illegally funnel corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002. He was sentenced to three years in prison, but his sentence was on hold during the appeal.
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