Published: Nov. 11, 2010 at 4:41 PM

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/11/11/Tape-DeLay-knew-in-advance-of-money-swap/UPI-14381289511711/

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Tom DeLay's trial jurors heard the former U.S. House majority leader say in a recording he knew in advance of a money swap that proved to be illegal.

In the Aug. 17, 2005, interview, DeLay, who resigned that year after being charged with criminal violations of state campaign finance laws and money laundering, told prosecutors he knew that Jim Ellis, his chief political aide in Washington, would exchange $190,000 of corporate money for campaign donations from the Republican National Committee.

"Jim Ellis told me he was going to do it," DeLay said.

"Before he did it?" prosecutors asked.

"Uh-huh," DeLay answered.

DeLay also told prosecutors he made no decisions about the money swap and assumed it was legal since it had been done for years by both parties, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

DeLay also said he hadn't talked with RNC officials about the swap and knew few details, the newspaper said.

DeLay's organization, Texans for a Republican Majority, was under investigation in Austin, Texas, at the time of the interview.

The DeLay recording "is what ties everything together," Assistant District Attorney Gary Cobb told jurors.

DeLay attorney Dick DeGuerin told reporters the transcript context indicates DeLay couldn't have known about the money swap until after the deal was done -- and he said he would prove it by showing DeLay's calendar.

DeLay is accused of laundering $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to seven Texas candidates during the 2002 elections. Texas law prohibits corporations from donating to candidates.