Judge Upholds Some Charges Against Delay

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/05/national/ap-delay.html?hp&ex=1133845200&en=9f34eded341edce5&ei=5094&partner=homepage
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- A judge dismissed the conspiracy charges Monday against Rep. Tom DeLay but refused to throw out the money-laundering counts, dashing the Texas congressman's hopes for now of reclaiming his post as House majority leader.

Judge Pat Priest, who is presiding over the case against the Republican, issued the ruling after a hearing late last month in which DeLay's attorney argued that the indictment was fatally flawed.

After he was indicted in September, DeLay was required under House rules to relinquish the leadership post he had held since early 2003. While Monday's ruling was a partial victory for DeLay, he cannot reclaim his post because he remains under indictment.