Ex-DeLay top aide pleads in campaign finance case

Source: Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The former chief political aide to former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has pleaded guilty to making an illegal campaign contribution as the echoes of an investigation of DeLay continues to resonate.

The Austin American-Statesman (http://bit.ly/LUAiFA) reports James Ellis was sentenced to four years' probation and fined $10,000 Thursday in a state district court in Austin. Prosecutors agreed to drop conspiracy and money-laundering charges against him and defer adjudication of his case. That means he'll have no criminal record if he completes his probation.

The American-Statesman reports he also has agreed to testify in any future legal proceedings. DeLay, sentenced in 2010 to three years in prison for conspiracy and money laundering, remains free pending appeal. John Colyandro, executive director of the Texans for a Republican Majority, awaits trial.

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