Rep. Renzi, a McCain Co-Chair, Indicted

By Matthew Mosk
A federal grand jury has indicted U.S. Rep. Richard Renzi (R-Ariz.) on 35 criminal counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and official extortion, the Reuters news wire service reported this morning.

Renzi is an Arizona co-chair of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign.

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, Reuters reported.

For additional details, see Capitol Briefing »