House Ethics Panel to Review Renzi Case
The House ethics committee voted Thursday to empanel an investigative subcommittee to review whether Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) violated the chamber’s code of conduct or other rules in connection to his recent indictment on 35 counts of extortion, money laundering and conspiracy.
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) will chair the panel and Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas) will serve as ranking member. Reps. Steven Rothman (D-N.J.) and Greg Walden (R-Ore.) also will serve on the committee.
Federal officials in Arizona indicted Renzi on Feb. 21 in connection with his efforts to get the federal government to buy land from a business partner.
According to a statement released Thursday, the subcommittee’s jurisdiction could be expanded to include any superceding indictments related to the same criminal matter.
Renzi, who has maintained his innocence, has refused to resign his seat before the end of the 110th Congress. He previously announced he would not seek re-election.