Posted: 9:30 AM Nov 5, 2010

Reporter: Associated Press

http://www.kxii.com/txnews/headlines/Ex-GOP_official_Money_swap_in_DeLay_case_common_106762693.html

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A former top Republican Party official says money swaps such as those at the center of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's money laundering trial are not only legal, they're common.

Terry Nelson was executive director of political operations for the Washington-based Republican National Committee. He told a state district court jury in Austin Thursday that he doesn't believe anything illegal was done when the RNC exchanged $190,000 in corporate donations raised by DeLay's political action committee. But although Nelson says such money swaps were common, he says aspects of this transaction were unusual.

DeLay is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He's accused of using his PAC to illegally funnel corporate donations into Texas legislative races eight years ago. If convicted, DeLay faces up to life in prison. He's denied any wrongdoing.