Group Seeks Expanded Probe Into DeLay Trip

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051014/ap_on_go_co/delay_ethics_committee_4;_ylt=AhZmLXVxnZYnXfwJLYzvXCuGbToC;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

WASHINGTON - The private group Common Cause urged the House ethics committee to expand its investigation into a trip that Rep.
Tom DeLay made to England and Scotland, to determine if it amounted to a gift in exchange for legislative favors.


The committee also should examine whether the 2000 trip, which included golfing in Scotland, violated House rules because it was primarily recreational, Common Cause president Chellie Pingree wrote committee leaders on Thursday.

DeLay, who recently stepped down as House majority leader after being indicted in Texas on conspiracy and money-laundering charges, has denied that the $70,000 trip was improperly paid for by Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

DeLay, R-Texas, has asked the ethics committee to review his travel after reports that Abramoff or his clients paid some of the travel expenses. House ethics rules bar members or their aides from accepting trips from registered lobbyists.

Love the photo accompanying the article:

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AP - Fri Oct 14,12:00 PM ET Tom DeLay associates Jim Ellis, left, looks on while John Colyandro, center, chats with media specialist Melissa Hopkins before a hearing at the Travis County courthouse in Austin, Texas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2005. Colyandro and Ellis were released Friday on $10,000 personal bonds on the two most recent charges against them stemming from alleged campaign-finance wrongdoing in the 2002 Texas legislative races. (AP Photo/Jay Janner, Pool)

:woohoo:

None of them looking too happy.

Posted 10/14/2005 12:10 PM

Two DeLay associates released on bond
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Two associates of Rep. Tom DeLay were released Friday on $10,000 personal bonds on the two most recent charges against them stemming from alleged campaign-finance wrongdoing in the 2002 Texas legislative races.
Jim Ellis, John Colyandro and DeLay all are awaiting trial on charges including money laundering, criminal conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate the election code. They are accused of scheming to circumvent the state's ban on corporate money for 2002 political campaigns.

This happened a day after it was learned that DeLay is being forced to turn over home and campaign phone records from the period he is charged with conspiring to launder illegal corporate donations. A later auto purchase also is being investigated.

Attorneys for Ellis and Colyandro asked State District Judge Bob Perkins Friday to rule on their motion seeking proof of an alleged document that detailed the names of Texas legislative candidates who were to receive contributions from the Republican National Committee. Defense attorneys questioned whether the document exists.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051014/ap_on_go_co/delay_ethics_committee_4