Delay Subpoenas Ronnie Earle Records

[Nbadan]

Lawyers for indicted Rep. Tom DeLay on Tuesday subpoenaed the prosecuting Texas district attorney in an effort to show he acted improperly with grand jurors. The subpoena for Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, filed in Austin, asked that the prosecutor and two of his assistants appear in court to explain their conduct. The lawyers, previously had filed a motion asking for dismissal of the conspiracy and money-laundering charges against DeLay, the former House majority leader who has stepped aside from that post because of the indictment. Dick DeGuerin, DeLay's attorney, also asked that grand jurors be released from their secrecy oath so they could answer questions about the prosecutor's conduct.

Earle, leading a Texas campaign finance investigation that indicted DeLay and two political associates, went to three grand juries. He presented evidence on DeLay's alleged role in funneling corporate money to Texas legislative candidates in violation of state law. The first grand jury indicted DeLay on conspiracy charges, the second failed to indict and the third indicted him on an allegation of money laundering. DeLay has said he is innocent of wrongdoing.

DeLay has accused Earle — a Democrat — of pursuing the case against him for political reasons. Earle has denied any political motives. In a motion filed last week, the defense team said that from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3, Earle and his staff "unlawfully participated in grand jury deliberations and attempted to browbeat and coerce" the grand jury that refused to indict DeLay.

The motion said Earle then attempted to cover up and delay public disclosure of the refusal, and also "incited" the foreman of the first grand jury to violate grand jury secrecy by talking publicly about the case — in an effort to influence grand jurors still sitting. The lawyers said Earle then spoke about the case with members of the first grand jury, whose work was finished, to get their opinion of what they might have done if they had known their conspiracy indictment was flawed — as defense attorneys alleged. Earle then submitted the grand jury opinions to the third grand jury to persuade it to hand down the money laundering indictment, the defense team contended.

Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051011/ap_on_go_co/delay_prosecutor)

Of course, those of you who have been reading this forum for awhile already know what really happened with the two indictments.

So, what it comes down to is Delay's answer to fighting a supposed partisan attack by Prosecutor Ronnie Earle is to attack Earle politically. Ah yes, the smell of desperation is in the air as the Delay crowd knows they are busted and are actively trying to poison any possible jury by getting as much misinformation out there as possible through their media shills, and using delay tactics against the prosecutor such as this subpoena. Won't work.

[Nbadan]

WASHINGTON - Long before his criminal case gets a hearing in a court of law, Rep. Tom DeLay is fighting in the court of public opinion. With his trademark zeal, he assails the prosecutor in one sentence and portrays himself as a victim in the next.

And the media — often distrusted by fellow conservatives — is his bullhorn.

"I know when you stand up for what you believe in, this kind of thing is going to happen," DeLay boasted on a Houston radio show. "It's part of the fight. I know Democrats hate me and they hate what I believe in and they hate the amazing things we've been able to accomplish ever since we've been in the majority."

Setting aside his own aversion to the media, DeLay has waged a blitz on radio, on TV and in print as he tries to shore up support in his suburban Houston congressional district while assuring fellow Republicans he plans to return to power.

Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051011/ap_on_go_co/delay_fights_back)

One has to wonder how much illegal corporate money is going into this latest media blitz by Delay? Oh that's right he has his own Congressional legal defense fund. So who's given the most?


The biggest congressional donors to DeLay's defense fund since its creation are: Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, the House Republican whip, who has contributed a total of $20,000; Republican Rep. Henry Bonilla of Texas, $15, 000, and former Republican Rep. Billy Tauzin of Louisiana, $15,000. Tauzin left Congress to become president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the main drug company lobby.

Two other House Republican donors, Lamar Smith of Texas, who has given $10,000 to DeLay, and Tom Cole of Oklahoma, who gave $5,000, were placed on the House ethics committee this year, a move that drew criticism from House Democrats given the possibility that it might investigate the majority leader.

A spokesman for DeLay, Dan Allen, said there was no conflict of interest for the majority leader in accepting donations for his legal fees from large companies or from House colleagues. The contributions, Allen said, "were an acknowledgement that Congressman DeLay is a fixture within the conservative movement and has been a very effective leader, which makes him an inviting target for liberals and Democrats."

The list of corporate donors to the fund includes AMR, the parent company of American Airlines; Bell South; Coors Brewing; Exxon Mobil; Philip Morris; and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco.

San Francisco Gate (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/03/13/MNGUIBOMM41.DTL&type=printable)

[Marcus Bryant]

So when a GOP congressman may or may not be involved in moving some donations around within the party that might've run afoul of a law that wasn't in effect at the time, that's a major problem...but when it's quite possible that an American president took money from front organizations for the Chinese government then that's not significant?

But, I know, Earle's never gone off the deep end while trying to nail a prominent Texas Republican. You have to admit, though, it was pretty stupid having a film crew following him around during the process.

[gtownspur]

Why listen to this fool. MB

[Nbadan]

So when a GOP congressman may or may not be involved in moving some donations around within the party that might've run afoul of a law that wasn't in effect at the time, that's a major problem...but when it's quite possible that an American president took money from front organizations for the Chinese government then that's not significant?

Most of the money driving the housing boom is Chinese money, and do you think none of that money has been magically moved around into Republican coffers including Tom Delay's? Gimme a break.

[JoeChalupa]

I hope this doesn't come back to bite!!

[gtownspur]

Most of the money driving the housing boom is Chinese money, and do you think none of that money has been magically moved around into Republican coffers including Tom Delay's? Gimme a break.


Dan dont be a dumbass. Recieving money legally from a Chineese buisiness as a Private Citizen in exchange for real estate goods is a whole different thing than recievieng political campaign contributions from The Chineese Govt for our national security.

[mookie2001]

national security





bullshit

[Yonivore]

Boy! This is getting interesting...

[JoeChalupa]

Very interesting indeed.

[SWC Bonfire]

National politics at the state and local level blows.

This is bullshit. This crap has to end. Delay can stick his jerrymander up his Sugarland ass, and this "my name is Earle" guy can crawl back under the nationally financed left-wing rock he came from.

[Marcus Bryant]

Most of the money driving the housing boom is Chinese money, and do you think none of that money has been magically moved around into Republican coffers including Tom Delay's? Gimme a break.

That money is flowing into the Treasury market. Try again.

[Yonivore]

National politics at the state and local level blows.

This is bullshit. This crap has to end. Delay can stick his jerrymander up his Sugarland ass, and this "my name is Earle" guy can crawl back under the nationally financed left-wing rock he came from.
All politics are local.

[SWC Bonfire]

All politics are local.

OK genius, why did my district get redrawn by a US Representative from Sugar Land? That ain't local. I didn't vote for the bastard. No one in my district was allowed to vote for him. Now that I'm in a democratic district, not one person that I can vote for actually voted for the redistricting.

I also couldn't vote for Ronnie Earle.

Locally, your shit doesn't sell. Get the $%*&@!@ outta my district. :lol

[mookie2001]

bonfire
better switch it up I'm starting to like the cut of your jib

[SWC Bonfire]

bonfire
better switch it up I'm starting to like the cut of your jib

I don't see how that is possible, considering that my jib definately doesn't run from my mizzenmast to the poop deck. :lol

Texas prides itself on independence, and then this shit, the runaways, and Rick Perry's superconducting superfreeway shit happens.

[mookie2001]

Rick Perry is as worthless as politicians come

[SWC Bonfire]

Rick Perry is as worthless as politicians come

Rick Perry is a fearless leader in comparison to Louisiana politicians.

[Yonivore]

OK genius, why did my district get redrawn by a US Representative from Sugar Land? That ain't local. I didn't vote for the bastard. No one in my district was allowed to vote for him. Now that I'm in a democratic district, not one person that I can vote for actually voted for the redistricting.
You were re-districted by the Texas Legislature...in which I'm assuming you are represented. I can't help that a U. S. Congressman from Sugarland was instrumental in effecting that plan but, ultimately, it was voted on and passed by a bunch of LOCAL politicans called state representative.


I also couldn't vote for Ronnie Earle.

And, unless you commit a crime in his district, you're not affected by him.


Locally, your shit doesn't sell. Get the $%*&@!@ outta my district. :lol
Alrighty then.

[SWC Bonfire]

I get worked up over people messing with Texas government.

Used to be, if you were a republican you would get pissed off if a national party member stuck his nose in your state business.

I was under the impression that the state senate voted for redistricting, but I see that both houses do... I'll send my representative an earfull.

[Yonivore]

I get worked up over people messing with Texas government.

Used to be, if you were a republican you would get pissed off if a national party member stuck his nose in your state business.

I was under the impression that the state senate voted for redistricting, but I see that both houses do... I'll send my representative an earfull.
It wasn't like he did it without consulting with local Texas Republicans...

[SWC Bonfire]

It wasn't like he did it without consulting with local Texas Republicans...

And they were easier than the prom queen after a few drinks in the back of the limo...

[Nbadan]

Check this out, Tom Delay's defense fund is paying for TV ads to smear Earle...


Protecting their own. According to Roll Call (sub.req.): The Free Enterprise Fund is set to start running "saturation" anti-Ronnie Earle TV ads in Austin before taking the ads nationwide.

Talking Point Memo (http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/)

Tom Delay, doing his part to further the idea that there are two judicial systems in the U.S..

[xrayzebra]

Check this out, Tom Delay's defense fund is paying for TV ads to smear Earle...



Talking Point Memo (http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/)

Tom Delay, doing his part to further the idea that there are two judicial systems in the U.S..

Bout time, someone talked about Earle. Everyone has forgotten what a loser he is, et al: Hutchinson.

[Yonivore]

Bout time, someone talked about Earle. Everyone has forgotten what a loser he is, et al: Hutchinson.
Good for them! Ronnie needs to be exposed and smeared like a bug on 90 mile per hour windshield.

[gtownspur]

national security





bullshit

Bullshit?!! are you a joke. The chineese recieved nucleur secrets from the CLintons. You dont think thats national security. Man your more dumb than i thought!

[xrayzebra]

Bullshit?!! are you a joke. The chineese recieved nucleur secrets from the CLintons. You dont think thats national security. Man your more dumb than i thought!

Also guidance systems for their missiles. Erh-ah, like they went into orbit today. Thank you Mr. Clinton.

[gtownspur]

Where's mookie?

I guess you cant have your head in your ass and type at the same time.

[mookie2001]

Rumsfeld gave N Korea their nuclear tech in 1994

[gtownspur]

ok... thats right you were up your own ass to pull something out of it like that.

[Nbadan]

Turnabout is fair play:


AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas prosecutor on Thursday subpoenaed the phone records for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's home and campaign during the period he is accused of conspiring to launder illegal corporate donations to candidates.

Also subpoenaed by prosecutor Ronnie Earle were records for two phone numbers for DeLay's daughter, Danielle DeLay Ferro, and for a minivan that Earle alleged DeLay bought.

DeLay is facing charges of money laundering and conspiracy in a Texas campaign finance case.

The subpoenas list telephone numbers, but not whom they belong to. They ask for information about the calls and the numbers' subscribers, voice mail service, billing information, long-distance calls made from or charged to the numbers and special features.

"The thing is no big deal," said Bill White, Austin attorney for DeLay.

Earle's office declined to comment on the subpoenas. He has said the investigation is continuing.

Earle is seeking the records and information from Sept. 1, 2001, to Dec. 31, 2002, the period when a political committee founded by DeLay, Texans for a Republican Majority, was raising money for the 2002 election cycle.

He also wants Toyota Motor Credit Corp. of Torrance, Calif., to turn over records on a 2004 Toyota Sienna Earle alleges was bought by DeLay. White said the minivan was leased as a campaign car in 2003, well after the fundraising for the Texas committee.

Earle also supoenaed the phone records of Delay's 12-year old daughter and of a business that shares a building with the Delay money-machine TX headquarters.

[Nbadan]

Meanwhile, a lack of physical list naming Republican candidates who benefited from Tom Delay's corporate money scheme may severly treathen Ronnie Earle's state case against Delay...


By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - Travis County prosecutors admitted Friday they lack physical proof of a list of Republican candidates that is at the heart of money-laundering indictments against U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay and two of his associates.

The list is key to prosecutors being able to prove that corporate money that could not be legally spent on Texas candidates was specifically exchanged at the national level for donations that legally could be spent on Republican candidates for the Texas House.

Indictments against DeLay, Jim Ellis and John Colyandro state that Ellis gave "a document that contained the names of several candidates for the Texas House" to a Republican National Committee official in 2002 in a scheme to swap $190,000 in restricted corporate money for the same amount of money from individuals that could be legally used by Texas candidates.

But prosecutors said Friday in court that they only had a "similar" list and not the one allegedly received by then-RNC Deputy Director Terry Nelson. Late in the day, they released a list of 17 Republican candidates, but only seven are alleged to have received money in the scheme.

A lawyer for Ellis said prosecutors' inability to produce the list mentioned in the indictments is on par with the tactics used by U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy in the communist witch hunts of the 1950s.

"I'll tell you what I think about this list. In the 1950s, a man named McCarthy claimed to have a list of 200 communists in the State Department, and he didn't," said J.D. Pauerstein, a lawyer for Jim Ellis, the director of DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majority. "They (prosecutors) don't know what list they're talking about, even though they specify it in their indictment."

Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3397339)

Ronnie Earle just gave right-wing pundits some valuable ammunition for defending Delay.