Rep. Renzi indicted on fraud, finance charges

Reuters ^ | 2-22-08 | Randall Mikkelsen

[GraniteStateConservative]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal grand jury has indicted Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Renzi of Arizona on 35 criminal counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and official extortion, according to court papers unsealed on Friday.

The indictment stems from plan by Renzi and an associate to benefit from a land-exchange plan in order to receive Renzi's support for necessary federal legislation, court documents said.

"It was an object of the conspiracy for Renzi to enrich (his associate) and personally benefit himself," the indictment said.

It also accuses Renzi of embezzling premiums from clients of an insurance business to fund his congressional campaign.

Renzi was first elected in 2002.

U.S. Attorney Diane Humetewa in Phoenix, where the indictment was handed down, has scheduled a news conference to details the charges.

[rfp1234]

Another FReeper (whose name I forget) has a tagline that reads something like “Cthulhu in 2008 - because I’m tired of voting for the lesser evil”.

[rfp1234]

Yep. Save the adults for dessert.

[nicmarlo]

lol

That person likely gets lots of opportunities with questions asked.

[paltz]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal grand jury has indicted Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Renzi of Arizona

...1...2...3...4...5...6...7 WORDS in by the time the writer mentions the party!!!!!! Can anyone say bias?

[bert]

It’s ok, his trial will follow the Rep from Louisana

That will never happen

[FFranco]

Renzi (and Stevens too) are innocent until proven guilty. This might not be true. Look at the phony charge against McCain by the MSM.

[dfwgator]

Renzi should change the first two letters in his last name from “Re” to “Po”.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Look at the phony charge against McCain by the MSM.

McCain wasn't indicted by a federal grand jury. That's a big difference.

[jamese777]

“So, because he’s an (R), and got caught doing a little bit of what DEMOCRAT HARRY REID has been doing for 30 years, it’s newsworthy, right?”

---

Well yeah.
He’s a sitting Republican Congressman being indicted by a federal grand jury called by a Republican Justice Department and he’s chair of the McCain campaign in Arizona.
That’s pretty newsworthy.
If the Bush Justice Department has something dirty on Harry Reid, they should seek a similar indictment.

[Impy]

How come the Bush Justice Department never gets any media love for indicting all these Republicans and not indicting Demorats?

[MeekOneGOP]

Rut-Roh, Reorge! :^O

[nicmarlo]

Yeppers! Got some problems!!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

he’s chair of the McCain campaign in Arizona.

According to previous posters, he is one of 24 Arizona state co-chairmen for McCain.

[MurryMom]

This is insane. The man is innocent.

If he's guilty of anything, he's guilty of loving too much. All he's done is adopt other people's unwanted money. Money that would have been aborted had the liberals had their way!