Renzi Pledges To Stay In Congress

Republican Rep. Rick Renzi of Arizona, who was indicted last Friday on 35 criminal counts, has pledged to complete his final year on Capitol Hill as his attorneys battle the Department of Justice.

“I will not resign and take on the cloak of guilt because I am innocent," Renzi said in a statement released by his office. "My legal team of Reid Weingarten and Kelly Kramer will handle these legal issues while I continue to serve my constituents.”

Last week, after the Justice Department unsealed its indictment, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) called on the Arizona Republican to "seriously consider" how effective he can be to his constituents, an obvious challenge to step down.

The criminal counts include conspiracy, fraud, money laundering and extortion all relating to a land swap in his native Arizona. Renzi had already announced plans not to seek reelection in the fall.