Ex-Rep. Rick Renzi Gets 3 Years In Prison For Corruption Convictions

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- A federal judge on Monday sentenced former U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi to three years in prison for convictions on public corruption, money laundering and other charges.

U.S. District Judge David C. Bury also sentenced Renzi co-defendant James Sandlin to 18 months in prison, and ordered both men to pay fines. They are to begin their prison terms in January.

"I'm not wise enough to know why good people do bad things -- I think character and avarice have something to do with it," Bury said. "That's what happened here. Two good men committed bad acts."

Renzi, a Republican, represented Arizona's sprawling 1st Congressional District from early 2003 until early 2009. He chose not to run for re-election in 2008 while facing the federal indictment.

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