...McCain co-chairman indicted on 35 felony counts

bush

(Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:17:37 -0500) ---
thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com

Mr. Renzi had been serving as a Arizona state co-chairman of Senator
John McCain’s campaign for president.

From ABC News, 3/8/08:

abcnews.go.com

Pro-Life Groups Hit by GOP Lawmaker's Alleged Fraud

Renzi Funneled Hundreds of Thousands from Pregnancy Crisis Centers to
Fund First Run for Congress

By JUSTIN ROOD

March 8, 2007—

Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., allegedly defrauded dozens of pro-life
organizations for hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund his first
congressional bid, according to an analysis of the recent indictment
against him, a state insurance claim and an interview with an
insurance lawyer involved in the case.

When federal prosecutors indicted Renzi, 49, on 35 felony counts two
weeks ago, many reports focused on alleged crimes stemming from a
complicated series of land swaps the congressman facilitated.

But the indictment also accuses Renzi, who ran an insurance firm
before coming to Capitol Hill, of misappropriating hundreds of
thousands of dollars in insurance premiums and using the money to fund
his congressional campaign.

Organizations such as Arizona Right-to-Life, the Hope Crisis Pregnancy
Center and the Wickenburg Pregnancy Resource Center paid insurance
premiums to Renzi's insurance firm, Renzi & Company, but received
notices their insurance coverage was going to be cancelled for
nonpayment, according to a 2003 complaint filed with the State of
Arizona.

The complaint was first reported by the Phoenix New Times.

According to the indictment, Renzi funneled those payments -- totaling
more than $400,000 -- through various accounts and finally to his
campaign.

Renzi's congressional office has directed all legal questions to his
lawyer, Reid Weingarten.

Weingarten did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

____________________________________________________

thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com

Mr. Renzi had been serving as a Arizona state co-chairman of Senator
John McCain’s campaign for president.

Harry

Harry Hope (rivrvu@ix.netcom.com).

Give article a thumb up.