Was Michael Malik involved with Rep. Renzi's land schemes?

2.23.08

Renzi and Republicans

Extortion and money laundering are usually the province of gangsters, not Western Congressmen. That changed yesterday with the indictment of GOP Representative Rick Renzi of Arizona on charges that he used his seat on the House Natural Resources Committee to enrich himself through a trail of payoffs on land deals.

Prosecutors allege that Mr. Renzi used his clout to push land sales that could then be traded for other property owned by the federal government. Companies that wanted to trade acreage in exchange for federal land they considered promising for mining opportunities were encouraged to buy property belonging to one of Mr. Renzi's business partners. In return, they were promised a smooth ride with the committee on the land swaps. When the sales went through, the Congressman allegedly got a cut of the proceeds from his pal, at least $733,000.

Mr. Renzi has already said he isn't seeking re-election this year, and his lawyer said yesterday that "We will fight these charges until he is vindicated." But the indictment alone will remind many voters of the kind of corruption and arrogance that contributed to the GOP's defeat in 2006. Other Republicans are still under investigation for misusing Congressional power, and further indictments can't be ruled out.

The Renzi episode is the residue of what might be called the Tom DeLay era of Congressional rule, when keeping power for its own sake became the GOP goal. Current Republican leaders, now and perhaps for years to come in the minority, tell us they resent our antiearmarking editorials. But Republicans aren't going to win back voter trust if they don't once again become the party of reform and modest government, instead of dubious land swaps.

Rep. Renzi's committee, donor may have falsified disclosure records

You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep

TPMmuckraker reports on Congressional investigations targeting four of casino syndicator's "friends"

in its "Today's Must Read" post, TPMmuckraker reports the following "friends" of Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik (and the Ilitch Family) are under investigation for ethics violations and other wrongdoings:

1. Congressman Don Young (R-AK 1st)
TPMmuckracker: Young's Scandals from Abramoff to Zachares

See these related posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com:

• Why did a Detroit-based casino syndicate with interests in Barstow front travel costs for Alaska's Rep. Don Young?
• Is the Gulfstream G-IV private aircraft pictured on this postcard co-owned by the Ilitch Family?
• Daniel Aronoff and Mike Malik have similar relationships with Rep. Don Young
• Michigan Developer directed political funds to Rep Don Young and got $20 million earmarked for Florida road project
• There can be no question why Michael Malik found Rep. Don Young to be such an attractive political figure
• Tribe hoped language slipped into 2004 Transportation Bill would grant approvals for Port Huron casino
• UPDATED: Tribal leader admits lobbyists were trying to sneak casino plans through Congress without alerting opposition
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• PoliticalMoneyLine: Rep. Don Young pays Akin Gump $25,000 & gets $100,000 GOP refund
• Rep. Young (R-AK) flying around in Detroit Casino Developers' private jet
• Rep. Don Young's Top 10 donor list includes prominent Great Lakes area families bankrolling 'off-reservation' casino projects
• Casino Developer who fronted travel & entertainment costs for Rep. Don Young (R-AK) did the same for former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)
• Former congressional aide linked to Reps. John Doolittle and Don Young pleads guilty
• Ilitch & Troha families responsible for 70% of the money Rep Don Young (R-AK) took in on his best fundraising day of the entire 2006 campaign
• Casino developer indicted on charges he laundered political contributions via his family
• NewsMeat.com provides a snapshot look at Ilitch Family DC political contributions and bundling practices
• Do these people really believe Marian Ilitch is a "homemaker" or are they playing along with the game
• GOP Congresswoman received at least $74,000 in bundled funds from Ilitch Family sources after introducing bill for syndicator-backed Indian casino
• Six bills in Congress, over six years & political gifts in the six figures: That's what Ilitch Family has invested in Port Huron Casino deal
• Malik/Ilitch Contributions to Rep. Don Young

2. Congressman John Doolittle (R-CA )
TPMmuckraker: The Doolittle Investgations

See these related posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com:

• Family Affair: Members of Congress pay family members with political funds
• Ethics Issues Confront Crop of Calif. Congressmen
• Doolittle committee disclosure falsely reported young rookie lobbyist (son of a Doolittle political operative) as “retired”
• Rep. John Doolittle's longtime political operative maneuvering behind the scenes of Barstow casino project
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• Former congressional aide linked to Reps. John Doolittle and Don Young pleads guilty

3. Congressman Rick Renzi (R-AZ )
TPMmuckraker: Rick Renzi Under Investigation

See these related posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com:

• Rep. Renzi's committee, donor may have falsified disclosure records
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep

4. Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-CA )
TPMmuckraker: Lewis is under investigation

See these related posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com:

• Family Affair: Members of Congress pay family members with political funds
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• CleanUpWashington.org Hall of Shame The Story on Hall of Shame Candidate Rep. Jerry Lewis
• Rep. Lewis, Daughter used same PAC Lawyer Barbara Bonfiglio
• Controversial D.C .Lobbyists/PAC Treasurers Barbara Bonfiglio and Mark Valente III have ties to Team Ilitch; Reps J. Lewis, C. Miller, R. Pombo
• Ethics Issues Confront Crop of Calif. Congressmen
• Concerns raised about Malik & Bay Mills Tribe's Plastics Business long before $900k federal grant awarded
• Malik contributions to Jerry Lewis

TPMmuckracker keeps a running tally of investigations and prosecutions of both Democrats and Republicans on their Grand Ole Docket.

Or click on any of the "labels" (categories) below for a compendium of posts at TheVerifiableTruth.com (TVT) for that category.

Arizona Congressman To Retire Amid Probe

8.24.07

Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi, Facing Probe, To Retire; Fifth GOP Lawmaker Stepping Down

(AP) Three-term Rep. Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican facing a federal inquiry into his family's insurance business, said Thursday he will not seek re-election next year. Renzi becomes the fifth GOP House member in recent weeks to announce retirement plans, giving Democrats hopes of possibly picking up seats next year that otherwise would not be in play.

"I will not be seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008," Renzi said in a brief statement released by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Neither Renzi nor his top aides had immediately returned repeated calls and e-mails requesting further comment Thursday afternoon. (Full Story)

Rep. Don Young's political defense legal bills highest in House

7.17.07

By Paul Kane

washingtonpost.com Staff

Justice Department probes of congressional corruption continued to provide big business for Washington's white-collar criminal defense attorneys, who billed at least $1 million in the second quarter to current and former House members involved in federal investigations.

With at least 11 such politicians -- including several forced from office last fall -- facing probes including the Jack Abramoff bribery conspiracy and the House page instant-messaging scandal, top-flight legal talent was in high demand.

The largest payout for current members came from Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), whose campaign shelled out more than $262,000 to a pair of top Washington firms: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, which took more than $242,000, and Tobin, O'Connor, Ewing & Richard.

Unlike some of the others on the list, Young has not been the target of a subpoena. But Mark Zachares, a former staffer on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee while Young chaired it, pleaded guilty this spring to trying to help Abramoff's clients in exchange for the promise of a future job at his firm.

In addition, Young's current district director in Alaska recently lobbied for an energy conglomerate whose chief executive pleaded guilty in May to bribing several state lawmakers. Young and Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who has hired his own team of lawyers to deal with that probe, were the top recipients of donations from the executive and that company.

After spending $25,000 on Akin Gump in the first quarter, Young's campaign told reporters the funds were spent out of "caution." Yesterday, his congressional office deferred comment to Young's campaign staff, which declined to answer questions about his legal aid.

Former representative Mark Foley (R-Fla.), who resigned last fall after the FBI began investigating a series of inappropriate instant messages with teenage boys who were formerly House pages, spent more than $277,000 from April through June from his campaign funds, according to reports filed this weekend with the Federal Election Commission.

The FEC and congressional ethics committees have routinely allowed members to tap their campaign war chests to pay legal bills if they are under investigation for actions taken in the course of being a member of Congress.

"Lawyers rejoice," said Norman J. Ornstein, a congressional scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Ornstein noted that the average cost for one of the lawyers who handle ethics investigations has grown to $600 an hour. "This is serious stuff. . . . Obviously, it's also a reflection of the fact that we've a lot of folks under investigation," Ornstein added.

Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), the former speaker who underwent questioning from the ethics committee during its review last fall of the Foley matter, spent nearly $60,000 on legal bills in April and May, slightly less than the $70,000 he paid to his attorneys in the first quarter. Rep. John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) , his successor, spent $52,939 on legal bills related to his civil lawsuit against Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) over a leaked copy of a conference call Boehner participated in more than 10 years ago.

Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), who has faced scrutiny over earmarks he provided to campaign contributors, spent $31,000 on his defense. Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), whose family business was raided by the FBI last April, spent $25,000. Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.Va.), whose investments and campaign contributions have been under investigation, spent $22,671. And Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.), who was closely linked to Abramoff, spent $50,584.

Defeat at the ballot box does not mean the bills go away.

Former congressman Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), whose daughter's offices were raided by the FBI just before he lost his reelection bid, paid $25,000 to his lawyers this spring as investigators continued to examine official actions taken on behalf of his daughter's lobbying clients. Weldon also paid $5,000 to a firm for "investigative services."

Former congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.), who has faced scrutiny over his relationship with Abramoff, paid more than $102,000 to a legal team, according to his FEC report, and still owes $106,000.

Rep. Renzi's committee, donor may have falsified disclosure records

According to documents filed with the Federal Elections Commission, “Renzi for Congress” the campaign committee of now embattled Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) recorded a contribution of $1,000 on March 31, 2003 from:

Michael J. Malik
Wayne County / Probate Judge
38715 Meadowlawn
Wayne, Michigan 48184

As it turns out:

• There isn’t a Michael J. Malik serving currently as a Probate Judge in Wayne County.
• A search of records for a "Michael J. Malik," "Wayne County Probate Judge" at any time previous returns nothing.
• A search for "Michael J. Malik," "Probate Judge" comes up empty as well.
• According to the Wayne County Registry of Deeds, the property at 38715 Meadowlawn appears to have been owned by Milton L. Mack, Jr. and at least one eventual wife since at least 1988.
• Mack is an attorney and Chief Judge of the Wayne County Probate Court.
• Judge Mack has contributed to federal political committees but only those affiliated with the Democratic Party exclusively:

Date	Amount	Recipient
3/21/1996	$250	Michigan Democratic State Central Cmte
3/14/1997	$300	Michigan Democratic State Central Cmte
9/29/2000	$250	Michigan Democratic State Central Cmte
3/22/2002	$250	Marlinga, Carl J
5/7/2003	$300	Michigan Democratic State Central Cmte
7/7/2004	$1,000	Kerry, John

So who did contribute $1,000 to Rep. Rick Renzi:

• Judge Mack a loyal Democrat who’s contributed $7,650 throughout his lifetime or was it


• Michael J. Malik also of Michigan, a Republican who has contributed at least $198,197 in just the last four years to federal candidates and campaign committees of both parties, across the country; including Rep. Richard Pombo, Rep. Jerry Lewis, Rep. Don Young, Rep Candice Miller, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Debbie Stabenow among others.
  
  It's noted that from March 19 through March 31, 2003, Michael J. Malik made at least 10 contributions totaling $ 14,000; all to GOP freshmen Members of Congress, most of whom were facing competitive campaigns in 2004 (Rep. Rick Renzi generally would fit that model).
  

Date	Amount	Recipient
3/19/2003	$1,000	Burns, Max
3/19/2003	$5,000	CANDICE PAC (Miller, Candice)
3/25/2003	$1,000	Chocola, Chris
3/25/2003	$1,000	Chocola, Chris
3/25/2003	$1,000	Chocola, Chris
3/27/2003	$1,000	Gingrey, Phil
3/29/2003	$1,000	Beauprez, Bob
3/29/2003	$1,000	Gerlach, Jim
3/31/2003	$1,000	Brown-Waite, Ginny
3/31/2003	$1,000	Renzi, Rick
3/31/2003	$1,000	Rogers, Mike

How is it that a contribution filed by a GOP Member of Congress from Arizona might get two quite different men from Michigan, Mr. Malik and Judge Mack, confused; after all, don’t the donors submit their own disclosure details when they deliver checks to the respective campaigns?

• For more on Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) and others see: Arizona Congress Watch, & its Renzi roundup
• Official House of Representative website: Rep. Rick Renzi (AZ-1st)
• Congress.org: Rep Rick Renzi #274th Powerful Member
• PoliticalMoneyLine.com for Congressional Quarterly: Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ 1st)

You may want to click on the labels below or review these additional posts:

• Casino syndicator tied to Ripon...promoted Homeland Security...boondoggle to Ireland
• A Case of Abramoff-Lite: Pombo was doing favors for his Motor City Casino friends
• UPDATED: Lobbyist paid $665,000, secretly representing Ilitch syndication interests
• You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep
• Family Affair: Members of Congress pay family members with political funds
• Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA) steals one from Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) playbook
• Doolittle committee disclosure falsely reported young rookie lobbyist...as “retired”
• FPPC Enforcement Decisions: Casino syndicator's Major Donor violations revealed
• PR firm for Ilitch Holdings & Casinos loaned to Rep. Candice Miller’s re-election...
• CREW - Official 13 count Ethics Complaint Includes Motor City Casino Syndicators
• Ilitch Family, associate increased political campaign contributions 2000% in four...
• Port Huron Casino backers help raise nearly $100,000 for Sen. Carl Levin
• Do these people really believe Marian Ilitch is a "homemaker" or ...
• Rep. Young (R-AK) flying around in Detroit Casino Developers' private jet

Washington Post: Eight Members of Congress officially under investigation

5.30.07

House Members Under Investigation

Six House Republicans and two Democrats recently under investigation by federal authorities:
___
Republicans

• Ken Calvert of California, 8th term. The FBI agent reviewed copies of Calvert's financial disclosure reports after a newspaper reported he steered federal money for a planned freeway interchange 16 miles from property he sold for a large profit.


• John Doolittle of California, 9th term. The FBI in April searched his Oakton, Va., home, where his wife Julie, ran a bookkeeping and event-planning business. Among her clients was now-jailed GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff.


• Jerry Lewis of California, 15th term. Prosecutors are examining Lewis' dealings with lobbyists and contractors during the time he chaired the House Appropriations Committee.


• Gary Miller of California, 5th term. Federal agents have looked into land deals involving Miller.


• Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, 3rd term. Authorities are investigating whether Murphy's legislative aides performed campaign work on government time.


• Rick Renzi of Arizona, 3rd term. FBI agents raided his wife's insurance business amid reports that Renzi paid substantial back taxes to settle charges that his businesses improperly paid for his first congressional campaign.

___
Democrats

• William J. Jefferson of Louisiana, 9th term. FBI agents, pursuing a bribery probe, raided Jefferson's congressional office and his home, where they found $90,000 in a freezer.


• Alan Mollohan of West Virginia, 13th term. Mollohan stepped down from the House ethics committee after federal agents began a probe of federal funds he helped steer to nonprofit groups he founded.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/30/AR2007053001567_pf.html

Since 2004, two dozen Members of Congress spent $5 million from campaign contributions on legal defense

5.17.07

Campaign funds going to legal fees

By Ken Dilanian, USA TODAY

Two dozen current and former members of Congress caught up in criminal investigations or ethics inquiries spent more than $5 million in campaign funds on legal fees during the last 27 months covered by campaign-finance records.

The spending reflects a spate of scandals that were a factor in the Democratic takeover of Congress last year and, for some lawmakers, remain a problem. Eight current members have been publicly identified as being under investigation.

While campaign donations may not be spent for personal use, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has ruled that fighting to stay out of jail is a legitimate political activity as long as the allegations of wrongdoing relate to conduct in office.

The biggest spender still in Congress is Rep. Jerry Lewis of California, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, records show. His campaign paid $905,800 to law firms in the last two-year campaign cycle and the first three months of this year, records show. The Justice Department has been investigating his relationships with lobbyists and companies.

Lewis' office did not respond to phone messages.

Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., whose house recently was searched by the FBI, spent $149,200 during that 27-month period. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., whose wife's insurance business also was searched by federal agents recently, paid $101,800.

Renzi, under scrutiny for a land deal, said he has been the victim of "leaked stories, conjecture and false attacks." Doolittle, whose wife consulted for convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, proclaimed his innocence and criticized the search.

"Since you've started to see the Justice Department become much more active, the members have sought serious legal help," said Kent Cooper, of PoliticalMoneyLine, a non-partisan group that tracks money in politics.

Among Democrats, Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who declined to comment, spent $91,900 from December through March. Federal investigators have been looking into a real estate deal.

Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., under investigation over bribery allegations, has a separate legal defense fund governed by House rules that has raised $136,000, according to the latest filing.

Even those who have left Congress are allowed to use their campaign funds to pay legal bills, according to the FEC.

Former congressman Mark Foley, R-Fla, who left in September after it emerged that he had been making sexual advances to congressional pages, paid his lawyers $253,768 from his campaign fund since December, FEC records show.

Campaigns don't have to disclose the specific purpose of legal payments, so it's not always possible to distinguish standard legal bills from criminal defense fees. But routine election compliance typically costs no more than $12,000 a year, said attorney Karl Sandstrom, a former FEC vice chairman who advises campaigns on compliance issues.

You can tell a lot about a Capitol Hill lobbyist by the company they keep

Richard “Rick” Alcalde is lobbyist for Michael J. Malik, Sr. and his Indian Casino partners the Shinnecock Indian Nation. Malik’s partner is Mrs. Marian Ilitch.

Lobbyist Richard Alcalde (Rick Alcalde), currently the principal at Potomac Partners D.C. contributed $8,500.00 to Members of Congress from January – March 2007. It’s not the amount that’s raising red flags, but the individual members of Congress to whom he wrote checks.

Among the six Members of the House he contributed to, Reps. Rick Renzi, John Doolittle, Jerry Lewis and Gary Miller have each been placed on a list of “The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress” by Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW).

FBI Investigators raided the Renzi family offices in Arizona and the Virginia home of John Doolittle in April. The pair has stepped down from some key committee assignments.

Former aides to or family members of Doolittle, Young, and Lewis are under investigation or have plead guilty to charges stemming from the Abramoff and Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham investigations. Neither Young nor Lewis have stepped down from any leadership positions.

Alcalde Contributions Jan – Mar 2007 ALASKANS FOR DON YOUNG INC. $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. Don Young (R-AK) RICK RENZI FOR CONGRESS $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) JOHN T. DOOLITTLE FOR CONGRESS $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA) CITIZENS FOR HARKIN $2,000.00 [View Image] Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) FRIENDS OF SENATOR CARL LEVIN $1,000.00 [View Image] Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) MALONEY FOR CONGRESS $ 500.00 [View Image] Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) LEWIS FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) GARY MILLER FOR CONGRESS $1,000.00 [View Image] Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA)

Detailed report compiled from PoliticalMoneyLine.com.

The Washington Post revealed that Alcalde had hired the stepdaughter of Rep. Lewis (she lives in Las Vegas) to provide counsel to Alcalde from time to time. And this past year, Alcalde hired the rookie son of Doolittle’s long-time political aide John Feliz to lobby for Native American casino interests (MJM Enterprises and the Shinnecock Indian Nation). The son, Daniel “Dan” Feliz, also has a side contract with Blue Water Resorts, another group tied to Indian casinos.

Alcalde has previous affiliation with the Federalist Group; Alcalde & Fay. He has also represented the Sault St Marie Tribe Chippewa Indians, Station Casinos, City of North Las Vegas, Nevada, City of Las Vegas, NV, Detroit International Bridge, Landon Companies (Daniel Aronoff) and others. Alcalde appears to have had some relationship with former PAC Treasurer/Lobbyist Barbara Bonfiglio (formerly of Williams & Jensen) who seems to have all but disappeared.

YouTube: DCCC hammers GOP suspects with "Law & Disorder" TV spot

If you found humor in our previously uncovered post "Bad boys, bad boys" -- a take off on the FOX TV show "Cops" -- take a look at the latest out of the DCCC Rapid Response Team, it's a rip-off of NBC's hit show "Law & Order."

Law & Disorder

D.C. Watchdog Group calls for Rep. Lewis (R-CA) to follow lead and step down from Appropriations Committee

04.21.07 @ 08:12 eastern

Rep. Lewis Should Step Down From Appropriations Committee

This week, it was reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) raided both Rep. John Doolittle's (R-CA) home and Rep. Rick Renzi's (R-AZ) family business. Although these members were under federal investigation, they did not step down from their respective committee assignments until these raids occurred this week.

Their resignations leave open the question as to why congressional leaders have allowed Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA), who is currently under FBI investigation, to maintain his plum assignment as the ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee.

Melanie Sloan, Executive Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said today, "Raids of a member's home or business cannot be the new standard for what compels a member to step down from a committee post. Rep. Lewis, as the top Republican appropriator, is responsible for funding all federal agencies, including the Justice Department, which is conducting a probe into his potentially criminal activities. It is well past time for Rep. Lewis relinquish his seat on the Appropriations Committee pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation."

Reps. Doolittle, Renzi and Lewis were all named in Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington's 2006 Most Corrupt report, Beyond DeLay. More details can be found at http://www.beyonddelay.org.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions.


note: In 2006, CREW named Doolittle, Renzi and Lewis on their list of the 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress. Several others including Richard Pombo, Rick Santorum and J.D. Hayworth were not re-elected to their Congressional seats in November 2006.

© 2006 Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

Second time in as many days a GOP Congressman steps aside

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2007

---

Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., speaks during a news conference at the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad on April 1, 2007. Renzi is the subject of a federal probe into a questionable land swap and has stepped down from the House Intelligence Committee while the FBI investigates. (AP) Quote "I view these actions as the first step in bringing out the truth. Until this matter is resolved, I will take a leave of absence from the House Intelligence Committee. I intend to fully cooperate with this investigation." Rep Rick Renzi, R-Ariz.

(CBS/AP) For the second time in as many days, a Republican member of Congress is stepping down from a sensitive committee because he's being investigated by the FBI, CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss reports.

Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., is the subject of a probe into a questionable land swap. He denies any wrongdoing but is temporarily leaving his position on the House Intelligence Committee.

On Thursday, California Republican John Doolittle temporarily gave up his seat on the House Appropriations Committee after the FBI searched his house in connection with his ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff — who did business with Doolittle's wife.

In a statement issued Thursday from Washington, Renzi said, "The FBI came to my family's business to obtain documents related to their investigation.

"I view these actions as the first step in bringing out the truth. Until this matter is resolved, I will take a leave of absence from the House Intelligence Committee. I intend to fully cooperate with this investigation."

Renzi, elected to his third term last November, did not elaborate on the federal probe.

The Arizona Republic reported that FBI agents raided an insurance agency owned by Renzi's wife in Sonoita, a town near Sierra Vista.

Renzi referred all questions to his Washington-based attorney, Laura Miller, who did not immediately return calls Thursday night.

A second GOP Congressman's home raided this past week by FBI; he steps down from House Intelligence Committee

04.20.07 @ 4:20 PM PDT

Renzi takes leave from House committee amid federal investigation

By JENNIFER TALHELM, AP

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Arizona Republican Rep. Rick Renzi, whose wife's business was searched by the FBI on Thursday, says he will temporarily step down from the House Intelligence Committee.

Law enforcement officials confirmed in October that they were scrutinizing a land deal that would benefit a Renzi friend and business associate who was also a campaign donor.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Friday that Renzi told him of the search and volunteered to step down from the committee, which has some oversight authority over the FBI, "to avoid any unnecessary distractions on the panel and its critical work."

Spokesmen for the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office in Arizona declined to comment. A lawyer for Renzi did not return repeated calls for comment.

Renzi has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement issued late Thursday, he acknowledged that the FBI had taken documents from the family business.

"I view these actions as the first step in bringing out the truth," Renzi said. "Until this matter is resolved, I will take a leave of absence from the House Intelligence Committee. I intend to fully cooperate with this investigation."

Personal financial disclosure forms filed with the House last May show Renzi's wife, Roberta, owned the Patriot Insurance Agency Inc. It was valued at between $1 million and $5 million.

The agency is located in a sprawling ranch-style home in Sonoita, Ariz., which is not in Renzi's congressional district.

A reporter who knocked on the door Friday was directed to Tucson, Ariz., lawyer Mick Rusing, who was not immediately available for comment. A white vehicle in the garage displayed a decorative license plate that said, "Rick Renzi for Congress."

The raid on Renzi's business happened the same day that Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., temporarily stepped down from the House Appropriations Committee.

Renzi disclosed the raid and stepped down immediately. Doolittle disclosed that agents had raided his Virginia home only after it became public several days later.

It also comes a day after Senate Judiciary Committee members grilled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales about the firing of eight U.S. attorneys last year, including Arizona's Paul Charlton.

Democrats have demanded to know whether the firings were related to political corruption investigations by the prosecutors. Charlton's office opened its investigation into Renzi sometime before the 2006 election. Charlton was fired Dec. 7.

The land deal involved an October 2005 land sale, which Renzi helped promote. The sale netted a former business partner, James Sandlin, $4.5 million.

Sandlin owns properties in Arizona and Texas. He had been a business partner with Renzi in a real estate investment company. He also has contributed to Renzi's campaign.

The land that was sold was to be part of a swap in which the new owners could exchange it for land owned by the federal government. Renzi publicly talked about introducing legislation to complete the swap but never followed through.

Last October, a lawyer for Renzi said the congressman walked away from the deal after questions were raised about whether it was appropriate. The land is not in his district.

Such land swaps are common in the West, where the federal government owns large swaths of property. In this case, the Renzi had said he wanted to exchange the land to help protect the nearby Fort Huachuca Army Post from encroaching development.

Renzi, a three-term congressman, represents a rural district that sprawls across much of northern and eastern Arizona.