|
By Andy Barr
|
|
Posted: 03/04/08 08:42 PM [ET] |
|
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 35 federal charges, including extortion, conspiracy, money laundering and wire fraud. Following the lawmaker’s plea in the U.S. District Court in Tucson, Judge Bernardo Velasco released Renzi on the promise that the Arizona Republican would appear for trial, which is scheduled to begin April 29. The most serious counts in the indictment carry a maximum sentence of 20 years. On Friday, House Republican leader John Boehner (Ohio) and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano (D) asked Renzi to resign. NRCC chairman Tom Cole defended Renzi Monday, saying the embattled lawmaker is innocent until proven guilty. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) also defended Renzi on Monday, telling a Phoenix radio station that he is “offended that there are members of Congress on the other side who are currently being tried on criminal charges, and they not only have not resigned from Congress, but they continue to serve on their committees.” If Renzi were to resign before May 4, a special election would be held to replace the lawmaker. |
