Rep. Renzi indicted on 35 counts for land deal
Friday, February 22, 2008
Filed Under:
Law
|
Politics
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Arizona) was indicted today on 35 criminal counts stemming from a land deal in his home state.
The charges include extortion, wire fraud and money laundering. Federal prosecutors say Renzi, 49, used his public office to arrange and promote a federal land swap that would benefit himself and business associates.
"Among the allegations contained in the indictment, Congressman Renzi misused his public office by forcing a land sale that would financially benefit himself and a business associate, and in so doing, he betrayed the trust of the citizens of Arizona," said U.S. Attorney Diane Humetewa, a member of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona.
Renzi's district includes parts of the Navajo Nation and some Apache reservations. After being elected in 2002, his first bill in Congress was to settle a Zuni water rights claim. He is a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over Indian issues, and is the Republican co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus.
Renzi, who was also tied to the controversy over the firing of several U.S. Attorneys, including Humetewa's former boss, already announced he isn't seeking re-election this year.
Get the Story:
Rep. Renzi indicted over Arizona land deal (The Arizona Republic 2/22)
Secrecy, scandal cloud Renzi era (The Arizona Republic 2/22)
Rep. Renzi indicted on fraud, finance charges
(Reuters 2/22)
Arizona Rep. Renzi Indicted in Land Swap Investigation (CQ.Com 2/22)
Relevant Documents:
Press Release |
Indictment |
MP3: Press Conference
Relevant Links:
Rep. Rick Renzi -
http://www.house.gov/renzi
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