Renzi pays back taxes; FEC drops probe

NF Reporter · 05-01-2007, 07:18 PM

AP - Arizona Rep. Rick Renzi avoided federal campaign penalties by paying $323,830 in back taxes last year to reassure regulators that loans to his political committee came from his own pocket.

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waltky · 02-22-2008, 05:43 PM

Renzi indicted on land scheme...

Pressure Mounts on Renzi to Resign
February 22, 2008 - Republicans in Congress are impatiently tapping their fingers, as hours slip by without a resignation announcement from Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., who was indicted this morning on federal charges.

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Federal prosecutors Friday morning dropped a 35-count indictment on Renzi, alleging money laundering, extortion, fraud and conspiracy. But by 3:30 p.m. Renzi's office had not made or scheduled any announcement, and would not respond to inquiries about whether the lawmaker was going to remain in office. In a statement released to the media this afternoon, House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, made his impatience known.

"I have made it clear that I will hold our Members to the highest standards of ethical conduct," Boehner said. "The charges contained in this indictment are completely unacceptable for a Member of Congress, and I strongly urge Rep. Renzi to seriously consider whether her can continue to effectively represent his constituents under these circumstances." Responding to an emailed question about whether Renzi will step down, Renzi's press office replied that inquiries "regarding legal matters" were being handled by Renzi's lawyer, Reid Weingarten. Weingarten did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last April, following reports that the FBI had raided a business belonging to his wife, the lawmaker stepped down from his committee assignments. At the time, he told reporters he was "looking at" the prospect of resigning. He since announced he would not seek re-election. Update: Boehner's sentiments were echoed -- with mixed metaphor -- by Howard Shanker, an Arizona Democrat running for Renzi's open seat in the fall. "It is. . . time for Mr. Renzi to pass the mantle of leadership and justice to a stronger and more capable arm," Shanker said in a statement.

The Blotter: Pressure Mounts on Renzi to Resign

waltky · 02-25-2008, 11:07 PM

Looks like we got another Craig here...

Despite Charges, Renzi Will Stay On
February 25, 2008 - Thirty-five counts won't keep Rick Renzi down.

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The Arizona congressman will not step down in the face of a federal indictment handed down last Friday, he announced in a press release late Monday evening. Prosecutors charged him with money laundering, extortion, fraud and conspiracy stemming from deals involving government land.

"I will not resign and take on the cloak of guilt because I am innocent," the statement read. "My legal team. . .will handle these legal issues while I continue to serve my constituents." Renzi is one of two congressmen serving while under indictment. Federal prosecutors indicted Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., last June, and he’s still around. He may even try to get re-elected, even as he fights accusations he took half a million dollars in bribes.

The move likely won't be embraced by his party's leadership. House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio said last Friday that Renzi should “seriously consider” whether he could still do his job in the wake of the indictment. "I expect to meet with Rep. Renzi at the earliest possible opportunity," Boehner said. A spokesman for Boehner declined to comment publicly on Renzi's statement Monday evening. "We’re going to schedule a face-to-face meeting."

The Blotter: Despite Charges, Renzi Will Stay On