Rep. Rick Renzi Indicted For Extortion, Wire Fraud, Money Laundering And Other Crimes
Rep. Rick Renzi Indicted For Extortion, Wire Fraud, Money Laundering And Other Crimes
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) “has been indicted for extortion, wire fraud, money laundering and other charges related to a land deal in Arizona,” according to the Associated Press. Renzi and two former business partners are accused “of conspiring to promote the sale of land that buyers could swap for property owned by the federal government.”
Renzi, who is one of CREW’s 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress, has been under investigation by the FBI since 2006. At the heart of the investigation was a land deal worth more than $4 million that Renzi brokered for his former business partner, James Sandlin:
In 2005, mining company Resolution Copper sought to mine for copper in Superior, Arizona. Before mining could commence however, Resolution needed Congress to approve a land swap.
Rep. Renzi agreed to support the land exchange bill if, as part of the swap, Resolution bought a 480 acre alfalfa field in his hometown owned by Mr. Sandlin. When Resolution Copper refused the deal, Rep. Renzi solicited the Petrified Forest Group to purchase the land for $4 million. Rep. Renzi assured the group that he would make sure that the swap got through the Natural Resources Committee.
Around the same time, Sandlin made a $200,000 payment to a wine company owned by Renzi. The payment was never noted on Renzi’s 2005 financial disclosure forms for the House.
In April 2007, the FBI raided an insurance business tied to Renzi, which led Renzi to resign from his committee seats and eventually announce that he would not seek another term in office.
Questions have previously been raised as to whether Paul Charlton, one of the nine U.S. attorneys fired last year, lost his job because of his active investigation of Renzi. Read the full indictment here.
UPDATE: Renzi is member of Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) National Leadership Team as well as a co-chair of his Arizona Leadership Team.
UPDATE II: TPMmuckraker has more on the charges in the indictment that are unrelated to the land deal.
UPDATE III: Emptywheel has more background here.
UPDATE IV: House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) is now urging Renzi to resign from Congress.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
he had to be a democrat…. (sarcasm on)
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:17 amSWEEEEET!
And another one bites the dust!
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:17 amCue warmongering sleaze bag and Jon Stewart pal Bill Kristol to come out with the ‘criminalizing of politics’ line in 3, 2, 1…………..
-GSD
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:19 amGOP family & moral values at work once again. snark.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 amProps to Think Progress for the awesome picture selection. Talk about a two-fer!
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 amNo more “isolated cases” or “bad apples”. It should be clear to all by now that the GOP is a Criminal Enterprise, no more, no less.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 amIt’s good he lives in Az, the Mexican border ain’t too far.
Do think he will take his Senate friend with him.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 amDidn’t the Republicans make a congressional rule for themselves concerning indicted members resigning from Congress? I believe this was done about the time of the Clinton impeachment to show how THEY had superior morals and ethics.
Of course, that pretty much came unraveled when DeLay was indicted. Perhaps Renzi will do the right thing and resign on his own, but if he insists on staying until he is pronounced guilty, I will defend his right to do so on the grounds that until that happens, he is considered innocent under our laws.
If I was McCain, though — I would purge Renzi from my “National Leadership Team”. And while I was at it, I’d kick Trent Lott off, too. Why have questionable characters in your corner when you’re trying to get elected?
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 amho boy…
and on that note, i’m gone for the day… most of it anyway…
my daughter is coming home for the weekend, driving down from chicago… into a mild ice/snow/sleet storm… =:-]
some straightening up to do… on pins and needles till she gets here…
see yas…
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 amWow. A corrupt Republican. How UTTERLY amazing. /sarcasm
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 amNo more “isolated cases†or “bad applesâ€. It should be clear to all by now that the GOP is a Criminal Enterprise, no more, no less.
Comment by tombaker — February 22, 2008 @ 11:22 am
Wow. A corrupt Republican. How UTTERLY amazing. /sarcasm
Comment by scytherius — February 22, 2008 @ 11:26 am
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 amOut of CREW’s 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress , 19 are Republicans ………….
Ya ever think that this is going on now because and anytime after January of next year, because they want the Justice Dept, Their Wayinstead or even for the Bump-ass boy to wave his magic wand and let these little boys go.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 amgg??
get outta bed ya sleep head!
time to do your job.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 amAs has been noted on other blogs, It was the Renzi investigation that in all probability got AZ US Attorney Paul Charlton added to the 12/07/06 firing list.
So, cold comfort after getting shit canned for doing too good a job, but this one’s for you, Paul Charlton.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 amBye, Rick. Don’t let the door hit your ass….
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 amOuch.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 am#11: Out of CREW’s 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress , 19 are Republicans ………….
Yes. We should focus on knocking them out, and we should focus on knocking out corrupt Democrats in primaries, as well.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 am#11: Out of CREW’s 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress , 19 are Republicans ………….
Yes. We should focus on knocking them out, and we should focus on knocking out corrupt Democrats in primaries, as well.
Comment by Jim — February 22, 2008 @ 11:35 am
Well , 2 out of the 3 are William Jefferson and John Murtha………..
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 amOf course, that pretty much came unraveled when DeLay was indicted.
And one has to ask what in the hell has happened to that indictment? It appears to be going nowhere fast. I suspect they are trying to run out the clock to get him off.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:38 amThe corruption trial of Obama buddy Tony Rezco, btw, is scheduled to start on March 3. A jury will have the chance to judge him soon.
I am sure that the idiot troll GiGi seems to think that this somehow reflects on Obama. Fortunately most Americans can differentiate between Barak Obama and Tony Rezco.
Now, if we want to go and indict politicians by the friends they keep, the Republican party would be vacant.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:40 amInnocent until proven guilty. Don’t judge him until he goes to trial.
The corruption trial of Obama buddy Tony Rezco, btw, is scheduled to start on March 3. A jury will have the chance to judge him soon.
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 11:38 am
What elected office does Tony Rezco hold , you clueless clod ?
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 amComment by MCMetal — February 22, 2008 @ 11:36 am
I can live w/ a 6 to 1 ratio.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 amWell , 2 out of the 3 are William Jefferson and John Murtha………..
Comment by MCMetal
And that really confuses me. Why aren’t they indicted, especially Jefferson. I’m wondering if it may be that they really don’t have a lot of evidence against them. Otherwise, why wouldn’t the Republican Justice Department indict them and splash the indictments all over the news to try to hurt the Democratic party?
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:43 amNot that there would ever be any reason to be cynical about the Justice Dept.’s timing, but could this in any way be related to the 60 MINUTES story coming up Sunday on the political prosecution of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman – to show that they also go after Republicans?
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:43 amComment by MCMetal — February 22, 2008 @ 11:36 am
I can live w/ a 6 to 1 ratio.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — February 22, 2008 @ 11:42 am
I can’t ……….Anyone that abuses the public trust in that manner is simply reprehensible ; be they a Dem or (more likely) a Republican………
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 amInnocent until proven guilty. Don’t judge him until he goes to trial.
The corruption trial of Obama buddy Tony Rezco, btw, is scheduled to start on March 3. A jury will have the chance to judge him soon.
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 11:38 am
buddy?
is that the best you can do?
you must be tired.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:46 amInnocent until proven guilty. Don’t judge him until he goes to trial.
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 11:38 am
Rats. I was just about to post a parody of this troll, because the “innocent Republican until proven guilty and not even then” could be seen coming a mile away.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:47 amGreat Photo!
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 amI don’t like corruption either, MC.
I was merely pointing out that if this is a Dem/GOOP thing, the Dems are way ahead right now, for benefit of our beloved trolls. I’ve wondered all along if corrupt Dems would come tumbling out of the woodwork when the time came.
After so much bad news for GOOPers the last 2 years – Cunningham, Ney, Abramoff, Foley, Vitter, Craig, etc, etc, literally ad nauseum… I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it hasn’t, to that degree.
Me personally? I’d like to see EVERY corurpt member of Congress busted, regardless of party affiliation. As far as trolls like JK and g_g go, read ‘em and weep, boys.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 amThe Senate is going to look markedly different next year. With Renzi out, and Cheney no longer able to break tie votes, Joe Lieberman’s utility to the democrats is near nil. I think after the election, he’ll sheepishly return to the fold.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:52 amRenzi is a key member of John McCain’s staff and an elected representative in congress. Rezco is a former client and business associate of Obama. Rezco is not a “buddy” of Obama. They haven’t had any contact for years. Renzi is a “good friend” of John McCain and they are seen together often.
Yes, I think that IS the best a tired old conservative can do – and it’s a very weak attempt. McCain has been corrupt for a long time – I hope his “Keating Five” history comes back to bite his ass.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:52 amNice try, Goony.
NOT.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!
You’d be better off sticking to harping on how Obama’s middle name is “Hussein.”
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:52 amHey, and let’s not forget that McFlip-flop was the only member of the Keating 5 who still serves on the Senate?
What a worthless pile of sh*t you are McCain.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:53 amEveryone ’standing behind’ McCain is either a lobbyist or corrupt politician.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 amohn McCain’s (R-AZ) National Leadership Team as well as a co-chair of his Arizona Leadership Team.
Ah, Republican Leadership at it’s finest…he was just upholding those Republican Values, John McInsaneWar must be proud of this guy.
GiGi still rimming the repukian hindies today, you are such a toady.
By the way, how much do you get paid to post here?
Buck Fush
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 amMcWhore: “Just leave the cash on the nightstand.”
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:55 amMcWhore: “Just leave the cash on the nightstand.â€
Comment by Leftside Annie — February 22, 2008 @ 11:55 am
Damn….lemon ginger tea — right up the nose. :D
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 amFcuk John Glenn and the whole Keating 5.
My family was personally harmed by the entire S&L scandal, so with fire and vitriol I repeat:
FCUK THE ALL, CROOKS AND LIARS, BURN IN HELL.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:02 pmHow many “heroes” cheat on their wife repeatedly , divorce her for a younger and wealthier woman , and hang out with nothing but lobbyists and questionable characters in politics ?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:03 pmSo now we use the ‘buddy’ system to define culpability in government….
Who’s good hand-holding buddies with Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia?
Who has a picture shaking hands with Saddam Hussein?
Which person has strong ties with a company that is implicated in ‘losing’ billions of dollars targeted for Iraq reconstruction?
Shall I go on?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pmComment by MCMetal — February 22, 2008 @
Rescuing a baby from a burning building does makes one a hero.
Imprisonment does NOT.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pmIf Fox mentions this, does anyone want to take bets whether we will see “Rick Renzi (D-AZ)”?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm40. Don’t forget the upcoming trial of William Jefferson which had been scheduled to start Monday, before yet another delay. That one should be interesting.
http://thehill.com/ leading-the-news/ jefferson-trial-pushed-back-2008-02-22.html
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
More “interesting” than Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) National Leadership Team as well as a co-chair of his Arizona Leadership Team ?
Not very likely………
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:07 pmDon’t forget the upcoming trial of William Jefferson which had been scheduled to start Monday, before yet another delay. That one should be interesting.
http://thehill.com/ leading-the-news/ jefferson-trial-pushed-back-2008-02-22.html
Comment by good_golly — February 22, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
Finally Gigi posts something with which I can agree. It should be interesting. If he’s acquitted, he can get on about his work in the House. If he’s convicted we can get him out of Conress and get a real public servant in there.
Odd that Gigi doesn’t feel the same way about Rep. Renzi or any of the other corrupt Republicans.
Odd that Gigi feels the need to turn the attention to the rare indicted Democrat when the big news is the fresh indictment of yet another Republican legislator — and a “good friend” of John McCain, to boot!
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pmComment by MCMetal — February 22, 2008 @
Rescuing a baby from a burning building does makes one a hero.
Imprisonment does NOT.
Comment by DieNowForPeace — February 22, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
No kidding………Imprisonment also doesn’t make one a national security expert , more knowledgeable than the entire military hierarchy on the military itself , or an expert on foreign policy ……..
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pmAre they indicting Renzi now because the career Justice guys want to draw a line in the prosecutorial sand for the incoming bunch of democratic appointees to Justice? That just because there were politically motivated prosecutions in the last administration, don’t expect the careerists to bend over in the other direction, just because someone else is in charge?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 pmAnother case of ‘Family Values’ .
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 pmOdd that Gigi feels the need to turn the attention to the rare indicted Democrat when the big news is the fresh indictment of yet another Republican legislator — and a “good friend†of John McCain, to boot!
Comment by ralph the wonder llama — February 22, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
Odd that he forgot to mention that Jefferson is innocent until proven guilty; never forgets to remind us when the indictee is a Republican. Could it be hypocrisy?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 pmShall I go on?
Comment by raynman — February 22, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
Please do! In DETAIL!
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:12 pmI think after the election, he’ll sheepishly return to the fold.
Comment by barfly — February 22, 2008 @ 11:52 am
I agree, barfly. Lieberman’s window of influence is rapidly closing.
Talk about being stranded at low tide… row faster, Joe… faster!
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 pmEveryone ’standing behind’ McCain is either a lobbyist or corrupt politician.
Comment by Zimzone — February 22, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Or his boyfriend.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:17 pmImprisonment does NOT.
Comment by DieNowForPeace — February 22, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
If it did, the GOOPers sure would be a bunch of heroes, huh?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 pmMore “interesting†than Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) National Leadership Team as well as a co-chair of his Arizona Leadership Team ?
Not very likely………
Comment by MCMetal — February 22, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
congrats mc, post of the day!
ya left gg slackjawed with that one.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:26 pmIt’s good he lives in Az, the Mexican border ain’t too far.
Comment by natisman — February 22, 2008 @ 11:22 am
Yeah, except that we don’t want him.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:31 pmWow! Renzi bears a remarkable resemblence to John McShame!
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 pmGiGi; You did not answer my post yesterday. Where is your proof that Bush fullfilled his military service?
refer to http://www.nhgazette/chickenhawks
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:33 pmJoe Lieberman’s utility to the democrats is near nil. I think after the election, he’ll sheepishly return to the fold.
Comment by barfly — February 22, 2008 @ 11:52 am
And the Dems should kick his slimy ass to the curb, strip him of all copmmittee chairpersonships and assign him to cleaning the latrines.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:35 pmComment by Uncle Ho — February 22, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Let me answer your request for goon_golly: “Clinton didn’t serve! Obama didn’t serve!”
And, needless to say, goon_golly didn’t serve.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:36 pmComment by Uncle Ho — February 22, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
gg, goes blind in front of the truth, haven’t you noticed that yet?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:37 pmMore “interesting†than Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) National Leadership Team as well as a co-chair of his Arizona Leadership Team ?
Not very likely………
Comment by MCMetal — February 22, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
congrats mc, post of the day!
ya left gg slackjawed with that one.
Comment by joe cantwell — February 22, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
I just assumed that was his “natural look”……….With knuckles dragging , of course.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:38 pmfullfilled his military service?
Comment by Uncle Ho
GiGi is desperately going thru todays RNC posting points.
Must suck to make minimum wage posting toady rim lick talking points all day.
Buck Fush
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 pmDoes Renzi balance out Rezko?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:41 pmIf Fox reports this story, look for it to put a “D” after Renzi’s name.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:41 pmThat just because there were politically motivated prosecutions in the last administration, don’t expect the careerists to bend over in the other direction, just because someone else is in charge?
Comment by barfly — February 22, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
That’s one of the problems w/ Botch and the GOOPers, barfly. The last 7 years have been so… bizarre… that we’re all left wondering things like this.
Paranoia is rampant… and I’m not trashing yer statement… I find myself thinking similarly all the time…
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:42 pmDoes Renzi balance out Rezko?
Comment by Doc Rock — February 22, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Yeah
The very day Rezko becomes an elected official ……………
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 pmI just assumed that was his “natural lookâ€â€¦â€¦â€¦.With knuckles dragging , of course.
Comment by MCMetal — February 22, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
i believe gg’s a female. an ann coulterish female, but a female just the same.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pmDoes Renzi balance out Rezko?
Comment by Doc Rock — February 22, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
only in gg’s little book
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:47 pmI just assumed that was his “natural lookâ€â€¦â€¦â€¦.With knuckles dragging , of course.
Comment by MCMetal — February 22, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
i believe gg’s a female. an ann coulterish female, but a female just the same.
Comment by joe cantwell — February 22, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
So are you saying I should have posted : “With her Adam’s Apple dragging” ?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:52 pmAwesome another chimp goes down in FLAMES . These are the people who promote family values and GOD. What a bunch of HIPOCRYTES, I hope they all go down in FLAMES.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 pmMcMetal; do you mean to say that, like Trannie Coulter, GiGi’s Adam’s apple is larger than his bra cup size?
That would explain a lot.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:59 pmI love how the 24%ers always bring up William Jefferson when coruption is mentioned…
I really love how quickly they disappear when everyone says “get him the hell out of congress and into prison”
Its good to know that us proggies don’t put party above country.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:00 pmMcMetal; do you mean to say that, like Trannie Coulter, GiGi’s Adam’s apple is larger than his bra cup size?
That would explain a lot.
Comment by Uncle Ho — February 22, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
And GiGi’s IQ number is half her bra cup size……………
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:01 pmGiGi; You did not answer my post yesterday. Where is your proof that Bush fullfilled his military service?
refer to http://www.nhgazette/chickenhawks
Comment by Uncle Ho
GiGi seems to think that because Bush was able to buy his way out of his cushy military service just like he bought his way in to the cushy military service means that he fulfilled his military obligations. In GiGi’s world, they would not have let Bush out of the military if he had not fulfilled his obligation.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:03 pmIf Fox reports this story, look for it to put a “D†after Renzi’s name.
Comment by Marie
Nope, they are just ignoring it.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:09 pmFriken Saaaweeeet! He’s my Representative! Go Renzi!
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 pmHouse Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) is now urging Renzi to resign from Congress.
If Boehner (?Boner?) is urging him to resign, it must really be bad.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 pmWe still have a Chance to Elect an Honest, Conservative, Constitutionalist, Libertarian with a record of Principled Integrity and Leadership. Who has a clear plan to restore the Constitution, Reduce Government and Rebuild America. Elect Ron Paul President.
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 pmRon Paul has raised $32 million dollars for his campaign from individual donors
McCain raised $54 million from Coal mining and generating companies that use coal.
McCain flopped on his most core issue â€torture†to get the nomination and the support of George H. Bush. McCain is the only candidate that would pardon George W. Bush for his crimes and abuse of the constitution.
“We get the government we deserveâ€