Breaking: FBI Raids Rep. Renzi's Family Business

[Hissyspit]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/19/renzi-raid

Breaking: FBI Raids Rep. Renzi’s Family Business

http://www.imgred.com/

Roll call reports:

In a second blow to House Republicans this week, the FBI raided a business tied to the family of Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) Thursday afternoon as part of an ongoing investigation into the three-term lawmaker. Details of the raid on Patriot Insurance Agency in Sonoita, Ariz., were not immediately available. Renzi’s most recent financial disclosure form lists the business as an asset belonging to his wife, Roberta, and valued at $1 million to $5 million.

Little is known about the inquiries into Renzi’s activities, but according to media reports the Justice Department has been running a two-track investigation into Renzi regarding a land deal, as well as a piece of legislation he helped steer that may have improperly benefited a major campaign contributor. It was not immediately clear which investigation the raid pertained to, and neither his attorney nor his spokesman could be immediately reached for comment.

As a result of the raid, Renzi is stepping down from his seat on the House Intelligence Committee, according to a statement from his office obtained Thursday evening by Roll Call.

“Today, the FBI came to my family’s business to obtain documents related to their investigation,” Renzi said. “I view these actions as the first step in bringing out the truth. Until this matter is resolved, I will take a leave of absence from the House Intelligence Committee. I intend to fully cooperate with this investigation.”

More details soon.

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. HOLY CRAP! Is there ANY repuke that's NOT involved in corruption?

It really is coming down to....WHO ISN'T ON THE TAKE? This is unfreakin'believable, but HILARIOUS at the same time.:rofl:

[IChing]

2. Financially Benefitting His Father

In 2003, Rep. Renzi sponsored legislation that dealt hundreds of millions of dollars to his father’s business while, according to environmentalists, devastating the San Pedro River. A key beneficiary of Rep. Renzi’s legislation was ManTech International Corp., a Fairfax, Virginia based defense contractor where Rep. Renzi’s father, Retired Major General Eugene Renzi, is an executive vice president. The company, which has an office in Sierra Vista, Arizona, was the largest contributor to Renzi’s 2002 congressional campaign and the second largest in his 2004 campaign.

If Rep. Renzi accepted campaign contributions from ManTech in exchange for pushing through legislation benefitting the company, he would be in violation of federal bribery laws. His actions on behalf of his father may have also violated conflict-of-interest rules and the requirement that
Members of the House conduct themselves “at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the House.”

http://www.beyonddelay.org/node/94

[Ignacio Upton]

3. Oh SNAP!

:bounce:

[Ian David]

4. NO ONE expects The Waxman Inquisition! n/t

[wicket]

5. I like my popcorn with extra butter

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

[soothsayer]

6. They've made the word "Patriot" so dirty...

[Lone_Star_Dem]

7. Great

I hope they nail his hide to the wall. Corrupt bastard.

[Hissyspit]

8. kick with updated post n/t

[peacetalksforall]

9. I still don't quite get it. I gave a lot of credit for their nerve to commit

crimes to arrogance. There is an equal aspect - I believe they NEVER expected to get caught and assumed they could keep on doing it. I think they are stupid to do it and stupid to think they could keep on doing it. OK, alledged. The guy is still innocent, but ... we've been hearing the Abramoff gang, if this guy is in it, is a vast right wing troup.

To add to the bizarre'ness' - we have the guy who oversees the FBI embarassing us today trying to clear himself in relations to revelations about the Atty's - at the same time the FBI is investigating some alleged criminals in the House of Representatives. How does that work?

Every see so much (alledged) crime?

[TacticalPeek]

10. "I will take a leave of absence from the House Intelligence Committee."

Poor fellow.

:evilgrin: :popcorn:

[Hissyspit]

11. .

[merh]

12. You wonder when folks in the party, their little followers in

Congress and in the various agencies, will figure it out. This admin will do whatever it has to do to take the spotlight off of them and their efforts to dominate and control.

They have opened the floodgates that they controlled, they want it to be seen that the DOJ isn't political at all. Look at the repubs they are going after.

They will sacrifice a few, some that have annoyed them, some that haven't been as loyal as they deem they should have been.

These legislators that are being investigated, if they leave office, how will their jobs be filled? Does the gov get to appoint them? If so, are the govs republicans?

They have their replacements in the wings, they are expendable and must be sacrificed to prove that the DOJ is investigating republicans and has not been politicized.

[StarryNite]

13. It's about time

This should have happened before the election.

The U.S. Attorney for Arizona Paul Charlton has decided not to indict Renzi until after the election. The prosecutor assigned to the case is Howard Sukenic. He along with the spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys office is refusing to comment.
http://www.loftydonkey.com/article/133/breaking-us-attorney-sitting-on-renzi-indictment-until-after-election

[liberalla]

17. "This should have happened before the election."

You are SO right!
I was happy to hear about this yesterday.

[blogslut]

14. Goodness

What week.

[Eurobabe]

15. The GOP is IMPLODING!!

:nuke:

[Hissyspit]

16. .