Too Close for Comfort?

Too Close for Comfort?
By John Dougherty 9/9/08 7:14 PM


SIERRA VISTA, Ariz.–Did Sen. John McCain, the GOP presidential nominee dodge a bullet when Rep. Rick Renzi, (R-Ariz.) was indicted in February on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, extortion and conspiracy in connection with the misuse of campaign funds and the sale of a business associate’s land?

The 35-count indictment against the three-term congressman did not include charges during a crucial time period in 2003, when Renzi was working with McCain to move a controversial amendment through Congress. They were trying to keep Fort Huachuca, a large Army base in southeast Arizona, from closing.

If prosecutors had focused on Renzi’s submission of what might be false congressional financial disclosure statements, then McCain might have been drawn deeper into the Renzi case. The FBI has already interviewed at least one member of McCain’s Senate staff and requested that his Senate office turn over documents possibly related to the case.

Public records show that Renzi might have filed false congressional financial disclosure statements from 2001 through 2003, because he did not disclose his 50-percent ownership in Fountain Realty & Development, Inc. While submitting false congressional financial disclosure statements in this time period is not one of the counts against Renzi, the indictment states that Fountain Realty had more than $1 million in transactions with Renzi’s former business partner, and co-defendant, James W. Sandlin.

In contrast, the Justice Dept.’s seven-count felony indictment against Sen. Ted Stevens accuses the Alaska Republican senator of submitting false financial disclosure statements to Congress by concealing $250,000 in gifts from an oil industry supply company.

Did prosecutors avoid filing similar charges against Renzi to shield McCain from questions about his ties to the congressman? Or did they decide to focus on the more serious charges of wire and insurance fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and extortion?

more...

http://www.washingtonindependent.com/4834/mccain-dodged-bullet

...regardless...

rec & :kick:

She said there was a prescription drug angle. This is great news either way! I've been waiting for the perfect storm to make the campaign explode.

-Hoot

I am not sure what to think although many DUers who have been around as long as me (2001) are vouching for her

FWIW; Renzi is about as slimy a politician as they come--yeeecccchhh!




Edit to add link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/22/rick-renzi-indicted-mcca_n_87974.html

:kick: