Judge won’t move DeLay trial from liberal Austin

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A judge has denied former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s request to have his money laundering trial moved from Austin, which DeLay calls the “last bastion of liberalism” in Texas.

Senior Judge Pat Priest ruled Wednesday that appropriate safeguards could be put in place to give the former Republican congressman a fair trial in Democratic-leaning Travis County.

Priest set a tentative trial date for Oct. 26.

DeLay was indicted in 2005 on charges that he illegally sent $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to help elect GOP Texas legislative candidates in 2002.

DeLay has pleaded not guilty to money laundering and conspiracy, and says a trial will clear him.