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.

[Admin Moderator]

You’ve been here long to know altering published titles is off limits. Don’t do it again, if you value your posting privilges.

[GraniteStateConservative]

The art of writing coherent headlines is apparently a lost one.

That's on me. Because this is a breaking news story with dozens of various places reporting it, I tried to include bits of all the titles I saw to help stop duplicates here at FR. I could have done a better job of it, clearly!

[TheKidster]

Yep, only republicans will be investigated.

[Hoodat]

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

So basically, he pulled off a 'Harry Reid'.

Reid Land Deal Under Scrutiny

[GraniteStateConservative]

You’ve been here long to know altering published titles is off limits. Don’t do it again, if you value your posting privilges.

Yes, but this is a breaking news story with dozens of news agencies reporting it, and with only Renzi's last name being a common thread among them. I only picked Reuters because I'd have to excerpt from places like WSJ or can't post from Bloomberg at all. If someone doesn't include the word Renzi as a search term, they could easily repost this same information here at FR, causing a duplicate.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

This is exactly the kind of deal that profited Harry Reid in Nev to the tune of about a mil. The media seems unconcerned about that.

[FormerACLUmember]

The official policy of Reuters is to make no mention of party affiliation for indicted or investigated democrat party members (ESPECIALLY not the headline!).

[Admin Moderator]

Baloney. You’re the only one dragging McCain’s name into this. Do it again and I’ll boot your arse out of here. Got that?

[tflabo]

Yeh Renzi needed to go or be kicked out...unlike Wm Jefferson who gets to stick around on the ‘Rat team.

[Lead Moderator]

For your sake, I hope I’ve made myself clear.

[Myrddin]

I was expect the NYT story for months. It happened as expected. This new announcement really isn't a big surprise. Senator "Keating 5" McCain runs with this crowd. This BS is going to have to be solved at the convention. McCain is not the right guy for us to be running.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I refer you to result #3.

It is a fact that this guy was chosen by McCain as a state co-chair, similar to any other appointments McCain would make as President. It's not irrelevant.

[calcowgirl]

I guess Alberto firing the U.S. Attorney, Paul Charlton, couldn’t even help Renzi, huh?

[BerryDingle]

35 criminal counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and official extortion

This guy is an amateur, thats not even 15 minutes of Clinton inc. time.

[nicmarlo]

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.

McShamnesty's finance co-chair indicted............ping!

[GraniteStateConservative]

Actually, I just clicked the link again, and it’s now the #2 result.

[Sherman Logan]

Sorry, no offense intended. I was just amused by the grand jury being involved in crooked land deals.

Who will guard the guardians and all that.

[processing please hold]

Well I for one am truly shocked./sarc

[WVNan]

Yeah, Republicans. We are doing a poor job of selecting our candidates. I know, I know, it’s hard to find honest politicians, but we gotta try harder.

[nicmarlo]

Rick Renzi Indicted: mcCain Co-Chair Hit for Fraud Extortion