Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was found guilty Wednesday on money laundering and conspiracy charges.

DeLay was indicted in 2005 on charges of conspiracy to violate election laws by illegally funneling $190,000 in corporate money to candidates in 2002. He subsequently stepped down as majority leader.

DeLay, who blasted the indictments as “political retribution,” now faces up to life in prison on the conviction. Sentencing is set for Dec. 20.

Jurors in the Travis County, Texas, court deliberated for 19 hours before returning the guilty verdicts in the three-week trial, according to wire reports.

“This is an abuse of power. It’s a miscarriage of justice, and I still
maintain that I am innocent. The criminalization of politics undermines
our very system and I’m very disappointed in the outcome,” DeLay told
reporters outside the courtroom, according to the Associated Press.

DeLay’s attorney said the former No. 2 House lawmaker will appeal.