NPR: Republican Congressman Charged in Land Deal

Republican Congressman Charged in Land Deal

Republican Rep. Rick Renzi was indicted Friday on charges of extortion, wire fraud, money laundering and other matters in an Arizona land swap scam that allegedly helped him collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in payoffs. The Associated Press reports that a 26-page indictment unsealed in Arizona accuses Renzi and two business partners of "conspiring to promote the sale of land that buyers could swap for property owned by the federal government."

Renzi, a three-term Congressman, said last August that he would not seek reelection.

The Arizona Republic contacted Renzi at his home in Virginia Thursday night. He told the paper that he knew nothing about the indictment and referred them to his lawyers.

12:29 PM ET | 02-22-2008 | permalink

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And the beat goes on...

Sent by Chester Morrison | 5:49 PM ET | 02-23-2008

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