WASHINGTON — A Texas judge refused Monday to throw out money laundering charges against Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), potentially derailing his effort to regain his House leadership post.
Judge Pat Priest in Austin did dismiss one charge against DeLay, which alleged conspiracy to violate Texas election law.
The ruling came just hours before Vice President Dick Cheney, in a show of support for DeLay by the White House, headlined a campaign fundraiser for him in Houston.
DeLay was forced by House GOP rules to resign as majority leader -- the chamber's second-ranking position -- when he was indicted this fall. A dismissal of all charges against DeLay would have allowed him to try to win back his post, which is being temporarily filled by Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).
Lacking a dismissal, DeLay's lawyers have sought a trial as early as January, hoping he would be acquitted and then could attempt to reclaim his leadership job. But now the trial may not start for several months.
Some House Republicans are pressing their leaders not to wait for a resolution of DeLay's legal problems before the GOP caucus selects a permanent replacement for him.
"Members want a permanent structure at the beginning of the year to manage the House," said an aide to the House Republican leadership, who requested anonymity when discussing the internal party debate.
The ruling drew new attention to legal problems swirling around Republicans on Capitol Hill.
A former DeLay aide, Michael Scanlon, pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to bribe officials as a lobbyist. Scanlon worked with Jack Abramoff, another lobbyist close to GOP congressional leaders who is under federal investigation.
Several Republicans are concerned that their connections to the lobbyists could cause them political and legal problems.
In a separate case, Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Rancho Santa Fe) announced his resignation from the House on Nov. 28 after pleading guilty to accepting bribes.
Also, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) is under federal investigation for possible financial wrongdoing.
DeLay has said the case against him in Texas was politically motivated to diminish his power. The Democratic district attorney pressing the case against DeLay, Ronald D. Earle, has denied that charge.
