Not So Slick, Rick

[maddezmom]

Not So Slick, Rick
Congressman Renzi's big land-swap fibs are finally catching up to him
By Sarah Fenske
Published: May 3, 2007

Because even newspaper columnists are supposed to believe in that whole innocent-until-proven-guilty thing, I can't tell you that Congressman Rick Renzi is a crook.

But I can tell you this: Rick Renzi is a liar.

New Times readers may remember that, last fall, we broke the news that Renzi had planned to sponsor legislation involving his business partner's land. Although the proposed land swap ultimately didn't go through, Renzi's involvement allowed his partner to sell the acreage for $3 million more than he'd paid for it.

Here's the best part: Renzi's partner, Texas real estate developer James Sandlin, had helped to finance the congressman's first campaign. (See "Deal Breaker," October 12, 2006.)

So, Sandlin supplied big money to help Renzi win.

And then, it sure looks like Renzi used his congressional office to return the favor.

As Renzi admitted to me in October, he backed away from sponsoring the swap in question only after a lobbyist complained. A lobbyist!

more:http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2007-05-03/news/not-so-slick-rick/

[Wetzelbill]

1. you have to wonder what that guy was thinking

had to be just pure arrogance, thinking he'd never get caught. Arrogance will make you do stupider things than just being dumb.

[jgraz]

2. Don't discount the possibility of arrogance AND stupidity

The classic rethug combination.

[Wetzelbill]

3. yup there you go

sounds about right to me.