Inquiry focuses on U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi

PHOENIX, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Federal investigators have begun an inquiry into allegations that U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., introduced legislation to benefit his father's employer.

Law enforcement officials in Arizona said no search warrants had been issued and it was not decided whether a formal investigation would be opened and a grand jury convened, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

The officials said the allegations surrounded a bill sponsored by Renzi that seemingly indirectly benefited the ManTech International Corporation, which employs the congressman's father, Eugene, as executive vice president, the newspaper said.

The bill, signed into law in November 2003, allowed Arizona's Fort Huachuca Army Base to circumvent a deal with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requiring it to maintain water levels in the nearby San Pedro River, the Times said. Fort Huachuca has more than $450 million worth of contracts with ManTech, which has $1.1 billion in additional contract options at the base.