A grand jury in Texas has indicted 3 top aides to US House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, eight corporations (including Sears and Craker Barrel) and a number of other individuals for allegedly making or receiving illegal campaign contributions in connection with a DeLay-linked political action committee used in the 2002 state elections. The indictments, handed up Tuesday, cite violations of campaign finance laws relating to contributions made to Texans for a Republican Majority (see financial information compiled by the Center for Public Integrity).

Delay has said that the charges by the Democratic county District Attorney Ronnie Earle are politically motivated. View the full indictment here [PDF]. The Austin American-Statesman has continuing coverage. AP has more.