Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they turn. Former Arizona U.S. Rep. Renzi gets 3-year prison term:
Former U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, convicted in June on 17 counts of
extortion, racketeering and other federal charges, was sentenced to
three years in prison this morning at the U.S. District Court in Tucson.
The 55-year-old Republican served in Arizona’s 1st
Congressional District from 2003 until 2008, when he chose not to seek
re-election while under indictment.
* * *
Renzi, who is expected to appeal, was allowed to remain
free following the hearing, but was ordered to report to the Federal
Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his time on Jan. 6.
Renzi’s sentencing caps criminal proceedings that dragged
on for more than five years. In June, after a 24-day trial, he was found
guilty on two sets of charges. In one scheme, prosecutors said, he
embezzled client funds from his southern Arizona insurance brokerage,
funneled the money into his first election campaign and sought to cover
up the crime.
In the second conspiracy, Renzi allegedly committed
extortion while trying to orchestrate a swap of U.S. government land for
an alfalfa farm near Sierra Vista that belonged to a business partner
who owed him money. A deal ultimately was consummated and Renzi paid
$733,000 to relieve a debt from his associate, James Sandlin, who also
was convicted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino said after Monday morning’s
hearing that the outcome verifies that, no matter how long it takes,
“justice will be served.”
More details at the link. Michael Bryan used to cover "Renzigate," so I will let him provide a commentary.