Collection Agency Among Companies Settling Charges in DeLay Case

By T. A. Badger, Associated Press

Half of the eight corporations charged last year with making illegal donations to Rep. Tom DeLay's political fundraising committee were required to write checks to a University of Texas program studying money and politics to help settle their cases.

In exchange for dismissal of charges, the four companies also pledged not make any more improper campaign contributions in Texas, and to cooperate with prosecutors in their investigation of DeLay and others accused of misusing corporate donations to influence the state's 2002 elections.

The four companies that settled are retailer Sears, Roebuck & Co.; restaurant operator Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc.; Questerra Corp., a computer software provider; and Diversified Collection Services Inc., a government debt-collection contractor.

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