The criminal charges against Tom DeLay associates Jim Ellis and John Colyandro for laundering money in Texas legislative races are moving forward these days. Unsurprisingly, it takes a large amount of money to pay for legal defense in such cases. Where does such money come from? The Hill's Patrick O'Connor reports on one of the largest sources.

The indictment last week of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and an unrelated ruling against one of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s (R-Texas) fundraising arms have brought ethical questions back into focus as members enjoy the last three weeks of August recess.

When Congress returns, House Republicans are bracing themselves for another round of negative stories now that Florida authorities have indicted Abramoff.

But Republican stalwarts continue to demonstrate their support for DeLay and his associates, despite their legal troubles. Republicans have scheduled a golf tournament next Wednesday to benefit a legal defense fund set up for DeLay fundraisers Jim Ellis and John Colyandro, both of whom have been indicted on money-laundering charges.

The golf event and luncheon are scheduled for Aug. 24 at the Springfield Golf and Country Club in Springfield, Va. Mark Valente III, a Washington-based lobbyist, helped organize the event and sent out the invitations.

[...]

The invitation for next week’s event was sent with a one-page description of the fund as well as a letter from Donald McGahn, general counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee, stating that it was technically correct for the fund to accept donations from political action committees.

Thirteen House members had contributed $41,000 to Ellis’s defense fund as of the latest filing period, including $10,000 by Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and $5,000 by Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), according to politicalmoneyline.com.

The fund is a private, non-charitable trust, so it is otherwise not required to disclose contributions or expenditures.

Between this story and the news that Governor Bob Taft (R-OH) will face four criminal charges, today is a crystal clear sign of unrestrained Republican control of this country. And if the Democrats are unable to articulate such a message over the next fifteen months, they probably don't deserve to retake Congress.