In February, when a 35-count federal indictment was filed against three-term Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, extortion and conspiracy in connection with his misuse of 2002 campaign funds and the sale of a business associate’s land, he was co-chairman of Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in Arizona.
The indictment generated a flurry of negative press nationwide for the Republican presidential nominee because of Renzi’s close ties to the McCain campaign.