Rick Renzi, former US Congressman from Arizona's "whatever" district, (my benighted home state has been gerrymandered almost beyond recognition and certainly well beyond any form of common sense, so it's really hard to keep track of which district is which. For instance, Renzi's district included parts of northern Arizona and stretched down to the Straits of Magellan as well), has been found guilty by a federal jury on 17 out of 32 counts, including racketeering, conspiracy and extortion. The Triple Crown of political corruption, as it were.
Seems like he used his elected position to force certain land swaps that generated money so that one of the participants could pay back Renzi a very large sum. Which is, after all, why we have a Congress in the first place.
Naturally Renzi, who is apparently one of those "law and order" Republicans who don't believe that the "law" part of that formulation should apply to them personally, will appeal. To quote one of his defense team, "We are pleased that the jury acquitted Mr. Renzi on 15 counts. We are disappointed by every guilty verdict. We will continue to fight these charges..."
Well, at least as long as the money holds out...
Renzi's new defense should include the time tested "what's the use of having a place at the table if you can't enjoy the buffet?"
He might also want to simply throw himself on the mercy of the court. See, Renzi has 12 children.
That's right, 12. As in a dozen.
So the brother needs every single buck he can get his hands on. Legally or illegally.
Based on the number of little Renzi's running around, his team might also want to explore an insanity defense.
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