Renzi pleads not guilty to new charges

TUCSON, Ariz. - Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., who is retiring from Congress, pleaded not guilty Thursday to racketeering, making a false statement on a tax return and other charges in an alleged insurance scheme.

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House to Investigate Renzi

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.

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In the fall of 2006, one day after the Justice Department granted permission to a U.S.

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PHOENIX — An Arizona congressman vowed Monday to remain in office through the end of his term as he fights corruption charges, saying he will not "take on the cloak of guilt."

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Renzi's case was opened by former U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton, who was fired as part of the Bush administration's purge. In Oct. 2006, word leaked to the media about the investigation.

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Logically speaking, one would expect a congressman to relinquish his seat under such circumstances. But Renzi says he intends to tough it out—and he'd be a fool not to.

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As midterm elections approached last November, federal investigators in Arizona faced unexpected obstacles in getting needed Justice Department approvals to advance a corruption investigation of Republican Rep. Rick Renzi, people close to the case said.

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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.

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