AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Prosecutors have questioned two lobbyists about the corporate donations their companies made to Tom DeLay's political action committee, which is at the center of the former House majority leader's money laundering trial.
Prosecutors suggested to jurors in the Austin trial Monday that the donations were made to gain special access to DeLay or to get him to help these companies pass legislation favorable to their business interests.
DeLay's attorneys say there was nothing illegal about the corporate donations and that such contributions are part of the political process and "business as usual."
Prosecutors allege DeLay used his PAC to illegally funnel $190,000 in corporate donations into Texas legislative races eight years ago. DeLay denies wrongdoing.
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