Rick Won't Go
Yesterday afternoon, " sources familiar with the matter " were pretty sure that Rep. Rick Renzi would be stepping down soon -- maybe as soon as today! Renzi, under investigation for a couple dozen shady deals, was recently the presumed target of an FBI raid of his wife's insurance agency.
Lotsa Republicans, especially from the Arizona delegation, have been encouraging Rick to step down so they can hurry up and replace him with some other rural Republican who'll take a term or two to get fully corrupt. They must be thrilled to hear this :
PHOENIX -- U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi denied Friday that he plans to resign from office amid a federal investigation that saw the FBI raid the Arizona Republican's family business last week.
"For several weeks, I have been the subject of leaked stories, conjecture, and false attacks about a land exchange," Renzi said in a brief statement released by his Washington office. "None of them bear any resemblance to the truth, including the rumor that I am planning on resigning."
We love this new Washington tradition of refusing to step down until you're literally dragged out of your office by security. Wolfie, Gonzo, meet Rick, your new brother-in-arms. We hope the three of you chain yourselves to your desks or something.
Renzi could soon resign U.S. House seat [BizJournal of Phoenix]
Renzi denounces 'false attacks,' says he won't resign [AP via KVOA]