Former Arizona congressman Richard Renzi’s conviction on public corruption and racketeering charges will stand, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled on Thursday.
The panel rejected Renzi’s arguments that there was insufficient evidence to support the guilty verdict, as well as his claims that the prosecution violated the speech or debate clause of the U.S. Constitution. The clause generally provides broad protection to members of Congress and their staff from having to turn over information about their legislative activities.
