By Bob Christie | Associated Press
Former Arizona Rep. Rick Renzi should be sent to federal prison for nearly three years for convictions on public corruption, money laundering and other charges, according to recommendations from the U.S. Probation Office.
Renzi’s lawyers are objecting to the sentencing recommendation, saying in court filings it wrongfully increases the sentence he should receive under federal guidelines. They argue that the value of the gain Renzi was convicted of receiving was essentially zero and a sentencing boost the probation officer included after determining Renzi gained between $600,000 and $1.2 million was wrong.
Federal prosecutors take the opposite view in court filings, arguing the sentence should be more harsh. They say in their objections to the report that the probation officer underestimated the financial gain and incorrectly downplayed the public corruption aspect of the case.
