Search Results for: checks aren't cash

“Checks aren’t cash” back before 3rd Court of Appeals

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Sometimes when you least expect it, Tom DeLay pops up in the news. It would defy common sense to reverse the three-year prison sentence of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay because his money-laundering case involved a check instead … Continue reading →

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CCA overturns “checks aren’t cash” appeals verdict

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

For once, their pro-prosecution proclivities were good for something. The Austin appeals court erred in deciding that the state’s money-laundering statute – used to prosecute associates of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay – did not apply to transfers … Continue reading →

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TPJ files complaint against “checks aren’t cash” judge

Posted on September 18, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Last month, the Third Court of Appeals ruled against an appeal by John Colyandro and Jim Ellis that would have negated their money laundering indictments in the TRMPAC/Tom DeLay case. In doing so, the court provided validation for the defendants’ … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Only Republican judges think checks aren’t cash

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Seems that the recent appeals court ruling that may have given viability to the infamous “checks aren’t cash” defense was a partisan decision. In a dissent unusual for its critical tone, Justice Diane Henson, a Democrat, wrote that three Republican … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Will the checks clear DeLay?

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that the notorious “checks aren’t cash” defense might have gotten enough of a boost from the appeals court ruling on Friday to make it actually viable in a real … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Today’s the day for Tom DeLay at the CCA

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Apologies for the excessive alliteration. I got on a roll and couldn’t stop. DeLay’s appellate lawyer, Brian Wice of Houston, and Travis County prosecutor Holly Taylor will argue Wednesday before the state’s highest criminal court in Austin over whether the … Continue reading →

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DeLay gets off

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Bummer. Former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay’s political money laundering conviction was overturned by the state’s 3rd Court of Appeals on Thursday. “Based on the totality of the evidence, we conclude that the evidence presented does not support a conclusion that … Continue reading →

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DeLay argues his case before the appeals court panel

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s an old, familiar argument. Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay should not go to prison on money-laundering charges because the 2002 campaign transaction involved a $190,000 check and not cash, his lawyer argued before the Third Court of … Continue reading →

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DeLay files appeal of his conviction

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The man has been a boon for the defense bar, I’ll say that much for him. Tom DeLay’s appellate lawyer tapped a movie musical and Shakespeare in a wide-ranging appeal that argues the former U.S. House majority leader was wrongly … Continue reading →

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Third Court absolves itself again

Posted on January 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I imagine that if the Austin-based Third Court of Appeals had a Christmas party this year, it was an awkward affair. The 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin, split along partisan lines, has ruled that Republican Justice Alan Waldrop did … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Some early thoughts on what happened

Posted on November 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Just some observations before I can get my hands on precinct data… – First and foremost, let me say Congratulations to all the winners. This was a long and hard-fought campaign, and everyone involved deserves our praise and thanks for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: More court action

Posted on October 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Statesman has some things to say about the current makeup of the Supreme Court. Three of the nine seats on the Texas Supreme Court are up for election this year, and all three have Republican incumbents facing competent Democratic … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Interview with Cris Feldman

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

With the recent ruling by the Third Court of Appeals that seemed to give validation to the “checks aren’t cash” defense, I wanted to see if my impression of the ruling was shared by anyone else. Towards that end, I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Another loss in court for DeLay’s cronies

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Yes, the appeals process in the matter of the indictments against Tom DeLay and his cohorts Jim Ellis and John Colyandro are still ongoing. And yes, the defendants keep on losing. An appeals court has upheld money-laundering indictments against two … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Still waiting for DeLay’s day in court

Posted on October 21, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Now that there are no more appeals pending for Tom DeLay, and Travis County DA Ronnie Earle says he’s ready to go to trial, when shall we see The Erstwhile Hammer in court? Not just yet, says the presiding judge. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Earle prepares for trial

Posted on September 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

After yesterday’s CCA ruling refusing for the final time to reinstate the conspiracy indictment against Tom DeLay, Travis County DA Ronnie Earle says he’s ready to go to trial. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle said Wednesday that his office … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The reasoning behind the CCA’s decision on DeLay

Posted on June 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the basic reasoning behind the Court of Criminal Appeals’ refusal to reinstate the conspiracy charge against Tom DeLay and two of his co-defendants. In Wednesday’s decision, the Court of Criminal Appeals had to decide whether a conspiracy charge could … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Arguments before the CCA in the DeLay case

Posted on January 25, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Following up on yesterday’s post, here’s the story about the arguments made in the Court of Criminal Appeals in the DeLay case, over whether or not the conspiracy charge that was tossed should be reinstated. Rick Reed, an assistant to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Council approves proposed finance law changes

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

That was easy. City Council approved changes to Houston’s campaign finance law Wednesday with no discussion, effectively doubling contribution limits per general election cycle and boosting the amount many candidates can reimburse themselves for personal loans. The revisions, which go … Continue reading →

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First wage theft complaints filed in Houston

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I hope these workers get the justice they seek. For three years Erik Lopez and his three brothers say they each often worked 80-hour weeks, building highway ramps and trash landfills for city projects. Yet they say their employer refused … Continue reading →

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One thing Wal-Mart could be good for

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

They could wreak havoc on payday lenders. Raj Date says that with modern data analysis banks could offer payday loans on much less extortionate terms. Felix Salmon retorts that banks don’t actually want to do business with poor people unless … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for June 16

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The difference between “geek” and “nerd”, in a detailed discussion that is both geeky and nerdy. The Longhorn Network really isn’t working out as planned, is it? Putting your favorite MLB team’s draft picks in perspective. You know, accurate sex … Continue reading →

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