Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz. waits to speak at a Republican fundraiser in Scottsdale, Ariz., in this Oct. 4, 2006 file photo. Renzi has been indicted for extortion, wire fraud, money laundering and other charges related to a land deal in Arizona. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
| Biography | Issues | Fund Raising |
| Rivals | Supporters | Affiliations |
| Photos | Videos | Forums |
The House ethics committee said Thursday it was beginning an investigation into the conduct of Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., who was indicted a week ago on conspiracy, extortion and other charges.
The panel said in a statement it had created a four-member subcommittee to determine whether Renzi violated any laws, rules or standards of conduct with respect to any of the matters for which he was indicted.
Renzi, 49, a three-term lawmaker whose district covers much of rural Arizona, was indicted on 35 counts including charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, insurance fraud and extortion. The Justice Department accuses him of engineering a swap of federally owned mining land to benefit himself and a former business partner and stealing from his insurance company's clients.
Renzi, who announced last year that he would not seek re-election, has denied wrongdoing. He has resisted suggestions from his own party, including House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio, that he should consider resigning.
The subcommittee will be led by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., with Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas heading the Republican side. Reps. Steven Rothman, D-N.J., and Greg Walden, R-Ore., also will participate.
The ethics committee can issue a report that rebukes a member for violating laws or standards of conduct or can recommend that the full House consider expulsion.
The committee has been widely criticized in recent years for partisan divisions that have effectively crippled investigations.
At the Justice Department's request, the committee last August postponed an investigation into Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., who has been indicted on federal charges of soliciting bribes.
Renzi's office had no immediate comment on the committee's action.
On the Net:
House ethics committee:
Leave a comment
Other Popular Stories
|
Former 'Real World' member running for Congress A longtime Brooklyn congressman who has gone most of his career without ever facing much of a re-election challenge is facing an aggressive fight this year from a former "Real World" cast member. Community activist Kevin Powell, 42, is trying to paint the 74-year-old Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns as... Relates to Ed Towns, Chris Rock |
|
 |
DNC '08: Reviewing the big show A pivotal moment in the 1998 movie "Pleasantville" comes when an unusual remote control pulls a brother and sister into their television set. They emerge on the other side, inside the world of the show they are watching. Such is the experience of being at the Democratic National Convention and... Relates to Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Barack Obama, William Howard, Bill Clinton, Wolf Blitzer |
2008 Campaign Contributions
mapped by location
| Investment Banking | $2,100 |
| Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation | $200 |
| DC Navigators | $500 |
| Telecommunications | $2,250 |
| Investor | $19,800 |
