Renzi: 'I will not resign'

Posted: Monday, February 25, 2008 7:32 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Mike Viqueira and Domenico Montanaro
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ-1) is refusing to step down, proclaiming his innocence after being indicted on 35 counts, which "stem from a tangle of suspected fraud involving business dealings, campaign finances and legislative conduct," per the Arizona Republic. "According to the government's case, Renzi cheated and stole his way into office, then abused his power to make money."

"I will not resign and take on the cloak of guilt because I am innocent," Renzi said per a statement released by his congressional office. "My legal team of Reid Weingarten and Kelly Kramer will handle these legal issues while I continue to serve my constituents."

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Comments

Typical. Never wrong. Never take the blame.

nuanced (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 7:45 PM)

Why resign?!?!?!?!

I say hold on to power for as long as you can, hope and pray that McCain wins the white house and wait for the Pardon or Commutation to come in the mail.

It's only 35 counts that he's been indicted on...lol.

Matt, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 8:10 PM)

Excellent. Rick Renzi and Larry Craig seem as determined to take the Republican party down with them as Hillary is the Democrats.

Drew Rocker, Portland, Oregon (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 9:08 PM)

Rep. Renzi is hooked and can't wiggle lose !!
I can't wait till so called Honest John McCain goes down with him.
McCain and Renzi are old co-horts from way back.

Ken Collins/ Wagoner, Oklahoma (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 9:55 PM)

If Renzi had an ounce of integrity about him he would do the decent thing and stop accepting a taxpayer funded paycheck and resign from congress. Renzi is responsible for getting the Arizona federal prosecutor fired for investigating him, now it is time to own up like a man and accept the consequences for his actions.

Ellis B. Kingman, Az. (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:38 PM)

Yeah, right. And the senator from Idaho is not gay either. You have got to get a gag reflex with this bunch of republicans. Can anyone make November get here any quicker?

justthinkinoutloud (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:15 PM)

Renzi is a crook and has been a crook for some time. As a resident of Phoenix, AZ I am ashamed of the "so called" conservatives that voted this con-man into office.

Dan Prochazka, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:28 PM)

Typical, AZ GOP redneck, lying, thieving "morally confused" crook politician

JanB, Tucson AZ (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 1:15 AM)

why do we allow elected officials whom are supposed to be "torch bearers" for justice and everything right to do those really dumb things loke fraud, money laundering??the representaive needs to resign or we need to be allowed to put them in jail right then and make them get out of the senate, this nothing but wrong! if i did the same i would be busting rocks forever.

Jimmy Finch (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 1:38 AM)

Such a shame these Washington self serving paper hangers get away with so many crimes against the people. The little man would hang at sunrise. They were sent to Washington, they abuse laws with total contempt, As did the Clinton's and the whole clan of paper hangers! What is troubling, the are being paid while they take off,, wish I could a job!

Horribe facts (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 1:53 AM)

Renzi needs to talk to 'The Wide Stance Man' and get his advise as to how to game the system. Surprise! Surprise! Another of our upstanding Repugnant legislators who thinks he is above the law. This 'I am above the law' elitist attitude has to be stopped....Including any of the wayward Dems too!!! It is appropo that these tin-can emperors are beginning to be purged. If justice is to be served, all these slime balls will lose their positions come November. Too bad they will not be trying to live on Unemployment Insurance. That is what these self-righteous criminals deserve at minimum. Of course they really deserve some hard time with Bubba in one of our correctional facilities, however, the reality is they will be sipping their favorite beverage, making six figures or more and laughing while many of us struggle to keep our home, jobs and families together.

The Edge, Macon, GA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 2:00 AM)

Will the Toni Rezko upcoming trial cause similar problems for Obama? Isn't it coming up the end of this month? Is anyone going to touch this sticky
subject or is Obama untouchable? Karl Rove will love this trial. Scruitizing is ongoing on FOX.
They are out doing MSNBC and CNN.

laura, Sammamish WA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 3:28 AM)

I know what its like to be falsely accused!
Renzi's day will come, good or bad!

Richard Chapman Las Vegas NV (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 3:30 AM)

it would be great to see Renzi get the Don Seigelman treatment. Lets see if that happens though.

Guy Fawkes (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 3:42 AM)

Yeah, who's that congressman who was found to have lots of money stashed in his freezer...when is he going to step down from his committee let alone congress? Don't look for the dems to make a lot out of this...

Rick, NC (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:48 AM)

Here we go again

Jason Scott, Camas,WA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:48 AM)

I'll be happy when this jerk is gone. In Arizona, we have been stuck with his less than adequate representation for too long now. A striped suit will suit him well, or perhaps pink shorts at Hotel Arpaio.

Gary Mialocq, Sedona, AZ 86351 (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:51 AM)

Renzi, of the "I am not a crook" school, I see.

Jen, Sandy UT (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:59 AM)

Who cares about this guy?

Bob, Huntsville AL (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:10 AM)

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