Renzi's Family Business Raided By FBI, He Quits Intel Panel

FBI agents raided a family business tied to GOP Rep. Rick Renzi (Ariz.) on Thursday, spurring Renzi to immediately give up his seat on the House Intelligence Committee.

FBI agents searched the offices of Sonoita, Ariz., on Thursday, according to Roll Call, which first reported the raid.

"I view these actions as the first step in bringing out the truth," Renzi said in a statement released by his office. "Until this matter is resolved, I will take a leave of absence from the House Intelligence Committee. I intend to fully cooperate with this investigation."

This is from the Arizona Republic: "The Justice Department has been investigating Renzi for months, but the subject of the probe has never been made public. Media reports last fall gave conflicting versions, with authorities said to be looking into either a land swap involving a former business partner of Renzi's or a Pentagon contract involving Renzi's father, a retired Army general."

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The FBI action against Renzi is the second time in a week that House Republican lawmaker has been the focus of a federal raid. Last Friday, FBI agents searched the Virginia home of Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.), who has been linked to imprisoned former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Doolittle, who has denied wrongdoing as well, stepped down from his seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee following disclosure of the raid.

Well, it seems like the Justice Department probes of lawmakers, which slowed down at election time, are finally heating up again. A staffer for Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.), himself the focus of a high-profile federal corruption probe, was subpoenaed for testimony, meaning that case is continuing even as Jefferson slugs it out in court with the Justice Department over the propriety of a FBI raid on his congressional office last May.

And Brent Wilkes, a California defense contractor with ties to Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) and other GOP lawmakers, was recently indicted on federal corruption charges. Wilkes has denied any wrongdoing, as has Lewis.