PHOENIX, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Disgraced former Arizona congressman Rick Renzi was handed a 36-month federal prison sentence Monday for bribery and extortion.
Renzi, a Republican who was first elected to Arizona's 1st Congressional District in 2002, was convicted June 11 -- his 55th birthday -- on 17 felony charges of racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering, extortion, making criminal transactions, making illegal campaign contributions and insurance fraud.
Federal prosecutors presented evidence at the trial showing Renzi concealed his role in land deals involving two companies in which he had a financial stake and used his position on the House Natural Resources Committee to grease the wheels.
He was also accused of stealing insurance clients' premiums to help finance his 2002 congressional campaign.
Renzi's former business partner, James Sandlin, was also sentenced Monday and will serve 18 months in prison. He was charged with extortion, bribery and money laundering.
"Former Congressman Renzi disregarded his oath to uphold the law, ignoring the interests of the people he was elected to serve in favor of his own interests," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Strange said. "The sentences imposed today reinforce the fundamental principle that no one, including an elected official, is above the law."
