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Pressure Mounts on Renzi to Resign

February 22, 2008 3:37 PM

Justin Rood Reports:

Republicans in Congress are impatiently tapping their fingers, as hours slip by without a resignation announcement from Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., who was indicted this morning on federal charges.

Federal prosecutors Friday morning dropped a 35-count indictment on Renzi, alleging money laundering, extortion, fraud and conspiracy.  But by 3:30 p.m. Renzi's office had not made or scheduled any announcement, and would not respond to inquiries about whether the lawmaker was going to remain in office.

In a statement released to the media this afternoon, House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, made his impatience known.

"I have made it clear that I will hold our Members to the highest standards of ethical conduct," Boehner said. "The charges contained in this indictment are completely unacceptable for a Member of Congress, and I strongly urge Rep. Renzi to seriously consider whether her can continue to effectively represent his constituents under these circumstances."

Responding to an emailed question about whether Renzi will step down, Renzi's press office replied that inquiries "regarding legal matters" were being handled by Renzi's lawyer, Reid Weingarten. Weingarten did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last April, following reports that the FBI had raided a business belonging to his wife, the lawmaker stepped down from his committee assignments. At the time, he told reporters he was "looking at" the prospect of resigning.  He since announced he would not seek re-election.

Update: Boehner's sentiments were echoed -- with mixed metaphor -- by Howard Shanker, an Arizona Democrat running for Renzi's open seat in the fall. "It is. . . time for Mr. Renzi to pass the mantle of leadership and justice to a stronger and more capable arm," Shanker said in a statement. (A mantle is typically worn on the shoulders.)

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February 22, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (11)

User Comments

Todays GOP is more corupt then the Mafia. GOP politicians make even Tony Saprano look honest!

Posted by: AJ | Feb 23, 2008 5:25:45 AM

Let me guess another Liberal consiracy right? Rightwingers are the most corrupt,evil Americans ever! Traitors to the true American way. Go away please!

Posted by: AJ | Feb 23, 2008 4:07:23 PM

Okay... I just found out the bill that the Humane Society has been trying to pass. HR.661 & S.394. Maybe, just maybe we should follow this trail to congress... Is this why the H/S didn't release the video fottage for 40 days? Instead they had it nicely edited for impact contacted all the companies that did business with the meat packing plant ( also asked for donations)and obtained the San Bernardino Distric Attorney hungry for publicity before releasing to the news or event he USDA. 40 days... Did they really beleive the meat americans were eating was tainted? If so that would make them all liable for the recall since they did nothing to stop it. Espoecially the District attorney...HMM AGENDA!

Posted by: Julie | Feb 23, 2008 4:12:54 PM

I don't see why Renzi should resign. The whole Republican party is made up of crooks, slanderers, liars and hypocrites. I don't see how they can hold anyone to 'the highest ethical standards' when nobody in their party HAS any ethical standards whatsoever.

Posted by: JL | Feb 23, 2008 5:34:43 PM

Scandal after scandal, indictment after indictment....and a president who should be impeached -- who will probably never be able to travel outside the US for fear of being hauled to the Hague to defend himself against charges of war crimes. What a great party, the GOP. You all must be so proud.

Posted by: kiki | Feb 23, 2008 8:10:20 PM

This guy should be inpeached and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Another scum bag politician butes the dust.

Posted by: savoymt | Feb 24, 2008 8:27:30 PM

A SLIME BAG just like his president..

Posted by: Joe MUrphy | Feb 26, 2008 10:54:14 PM

Renzi, like the other GOP/Movement Rightwingers in the slammer, and or in disgrace, did whatever he pleased with the "knowledge that the Bush "Justice Dept." would protect him.

He had Alberto watching his back, always there to fire pesky prosecutors who made the mistake of taking their responsibility to Justice more seriously than their fealty to Bush and the "Conservative Movement".

The Rightwing "Conservative Movement"; ascendant for 30 years, has done criminal damage to the country it makes believe it loves.

What it loves is arrogance, brute force, property, and slime.

That has been the legacy of conservative "virtue".

Posted by: Jay Diamond | Feb 27, 2008 8:22:07 AM

You foolish Leftheads, do you really think the Democratic Party is any less corrupt? They are all politicians, left or right, they are crooked. They are out for their own best interest, not your or mine, until it's time for an election. No wonder the country is coming apart, go ahead keep the party battle alive, Dems vs. Rep., instead of whats best for the country, keep fighting, some people, sheesh........

Posted by: Eric | Mar 5, 2008 8:10:10 AM

It seems again media biasness and it is working for I hardly see which party-- I believe Spitzer, Governor of NY, is a Democrat. Spitzer, articals seem to not put in that he is a Democrat. Please note this fact ABC, CMBC and other Democratic media leaners.

Rosalie

Posted by: Rosalie | Mar 12, 2008 11:43:05 PM

I say all people who are in politics, black, white,red, purple. They are all crooked in one way or another. I have never heard of an honest guy in politics of any kind!! That would be really something!!! They get paid the "bucks" for this. when they first start out, they MIGHT be an honest person, but it does not take long and they are like the rest. Always has been and always will be.

Posted by: Bev | Mar 20, 2008 10:46:24 AM

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