Prescott Arizona News and Events - Read It News Magazine

Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi faces federal racketeering charges in a new indictment unsealed Thursday in federal court.

Renzi, a three-term Republican congressman who did not seek re-election this year, was originally indicted in February. That 35 count indictment included charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, insurance fraud and extortion.

Specifically, Renzi is accused of embezzling money from insurance premiums to fund campaign and personal expenses. Another allegation is that he engineered a swap of federally owned mining land to benefit himself and a former business partner.

Renzi pleaded not guilty to the original charges and his attorney, Reid Weingarten, claims the government is "piling on unwarranted charges ... to try to coerce Congressman Renzi into a guilty plea."

Renzi's defense team has also used his position as a Congressman to argue for the dismissal of the charges. They contend that "the speech or debate clause," provides immunitity to the congressman from prosecution concerning his functions related to the legislative process.

Prosecutors disagree with this interpretation, stating that the Supreme Court has applied speech or debate protection only to "legislative acts," and in a situation that "expressly covers actual `speech or debate in either House.'

U.S. Magistrate Bernardo Velasco will hold hearings on defense dismissal motions starting Dec. 1.

Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick beat out Republican Sydney Hay to gain Renzi's District One seat in the House of Representatives in the November 4th election.

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