A grand jury in the U.S. state of Texas has indicted U.S. Congressman Tom DeLay on charges of money laundering and conspiracy.
The indictment announced Monday is the second in less than a week against the former U.S. House Republican majority leader. Last week, Mr. DeLay was forced to temporarily step down from his powerful leadership position when he was charged with violating a Texas campaign-finance law.
In both indictments, he is accused of conspiring to get around a state ban on corporate campaign contributions by funneling money through the Republican National Committee.
Mr. DeLay has denied the charges. In a statement released Monday, Mr. DeLay accused the Texas district attorney Ronnie Earle of "prosecutorial abuse," and called the charges illegitimate and baseless.
If convicted, he could face up to life in prison for money laundering.
Some information for this report provided by AP, Reuters.
