Friday, February 22, 2008

Rick Renzi, Co-Chair for McCain Campaign, Indicted on Charges Involving Land Deals by Grand Jury

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.

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