FBI taped lawmaker calls {Renzi (R-Ariz.)}

[babylonsister]

FBI taped lawmaker calls
By Susan Crabtree
Posted: 04/08/08 08:14 PM


FBI wiretaps picked up the voices of several members of Congress in their conversations with Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.).

The House General Counsel’s office recently notified those members after the Department of Justice (DOJ) told the House lawyers that the lawmakers’ voices had been intercepted during the FBI’s investigation of Renzi’s land deal, according to three GOP sources.

It is unclear which members were taped and whether Renzi’s home, office, and/or cell phones were tapped. And there is no indication of alleged wrongdoing by any member other than Renzi; the Renzi indictment does not mention or allude to other legislators and the use of wiretaps is not mentioned in it.

The DOJ alleges that Renzi promised to support legislation for a land deal that netted him more than $700,000. He is facing 35 criminal counts, including conspiracy, money-laundering, extortion and insurance fraud.

Justice Department spokesman Paul Bresson declined to comment on the Renzi wiretaps. The House General Counsel’s office and Renzi’s lawyers did not return inquiries.

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http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/fbi-taped-lawmaker-calls-2008-04-08.html