Update at 1:48 p.m. ET: The prosecution in the trial of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay says he engaged in illegal money laundering to create donations for Texas candidates, but his lawyer says he did nothing illegal and was only engaged in "successful politics," the Austin American-Statesman reports.

The 63-year-old former Houston-area congressman is on trial in Austin on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

Travis County prosecutor Beverly Mathews charged in her opening statement this morning that DeLay's alleged laundering of corporate money was part of a "larger, clever scheme" to alter the state's representation in Congress.

But his lawyer, Dick Guerin, in a rebuttal, told jurors that "you cannot convict Tom DeLay because of his politics," the American-Statesman reports.

"And no evidence will show any act done by Tom DeLay other than politics — good politics, successful politics," he argued.

Earlier posting: The Associated Press reports that DeLay was "upbeat" as he entered an Austin courtroom.

"The prosecution doesn't have a case. How can I not feel confident," said DeLay, standing next to his wife Christine.

DeLay and two associates are accused of funneling $190,000 in corporate money through a national group to help elect GOP state legislative candidates in Texas in 2002. Under state law, corporate money cannot be directly used for political campaigns.

(Posted by Doug Stanglin)