Texas ? The state’s highest criminal court on Monday denied Rep. Tom DeLay’s request that the money laundering charges against him be dismissed or sent back to a lower court for an immediate trial.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin denied the requests with no written order two days after DeLay announced he was stepping down as House majority leader. DeLay had been forced to temporarily relinquish the Republican leadership post after he was indicted on money laundering and conspiracy charges in September.

DeLay, who denies wrongdoing, had been trying to rush to trial in Texas in hopes of clearing his name and regaining the position. The House is expected to hold leadership elections when lawmakers return to the Capitol the week of Jan. 31.