Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, once one of the most powerful politicians in Texas and Washington, was sentenced Monday to three years in state prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Mr. DeLay also received a five-year term for money laundering itself, but Judge Pat Priest converted that sentence to 10 years' probation. Mr. DeLay posted a $10,000 bond, which would allow him to remain free while appealing the sentence.

Mr. DeLay, a Republican, isn't the first high-powered congressman to face prison. In recent years, Reps. William Jefferson of Louisiana, a Democrat, and Republicans Bob Ney of Ohio and Duke Cunningham of California all received multiyear prison sentences. But Mr. DeLay's case is unusual because he wasn't accused of accepting bribes or favors for himself.

Read the complete Wall Street Journal story, “Former House Leader Gets Prison Sentence.”

Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, once one of the most powerful politicians in Texas and Washington, was sentenced Monday to three years in state prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Mr. DeLay also received a five-year term for money laundering itself, but Judge Pat Priest converted that sentence to 10 years' probation. Mr. DeLay posted a $10,000 bond, which would allow him to remain free while appealing the sentence.

Mr. DeLay, a Republican, isn't the first high-powered congressman to face prison. In recent years, Reps. William Jefferson of Louisiana, a Democrat, and Republicans Bob Ney of Ohio and Duke Cunningham of California all received multiyear prison sentences. But Mr. DeLay's case is unusual because he wasn't accused of accepting bribes or favors for himself.

Read the complete Wall Street Journal story, “Former House Leader Gets Prison Sentence.”