AUSTIN, Texas — Attorneys for convicted former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay have told an appeals court that the one-time GOP heavyweight never committed money laundering.

Prosecutors say DeLay violated state law by using his political action committee to funnel corporate donations to Texas candidates in 2002.

DeLay attorney Brian Wice told the state’s 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin today that state law didn’t apply to funds the former congressman used because they were in the form of a check.

Prosecutor Holly Taylor countered that the three-judge panel shouldn’t consider such a narrow interpretation of the law.

The court will issue a ruling at a later date.

DeLay did not attend the hearing. The 65-year-old was found guilty in November 2010 of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.