Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is appearing in court Tuesday to determine if he will face trial on criminal conspiracy and money laundering charges.
Mr. DeLay's lawyers won a petition for a new trial judge earlier this month and are hoping the new judge will drop the charges against him without a trial.
The influential congressman and two associates are accused of funneling $190,000 in contributions from corporate donors through the national Republican Party into the campaigns of Texas Republicans running for the state legislature.
All three have denied wrongdoing. Texas law forbids the use of corporate money in state political campaigns.
The majority leader was forced to step down from his powerful post under House rules, but he retains his congressional seat.
Some information for this report provided by AP.