Indicted GOP Congressman Rick Renzi: "I Will Not Retire"

PHOENIX — An Arizona congressman vowed Monday to remain in office through the end of his term as he fights corruption charges, saying he will not "take on the cloak of guilt."

An indictment unsealed Friday contends that Rick Renzi, a three-term Republican congressman, engineered a swap of federally owned mining land to benefit himself and a former business partner.

"I will not resign and take on the cloak of guilt because I am innocent," Renzi said through his press office in Washington, D.C. He added his lawyers will handle the accusations against him as he continues to serve his constituents.

The indictment was the result of a federal probe that put Renzi under a cloud of suspicion for more than a year.

In all, Renzi is charged with 35 counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, insurance fraud and extortion. His arraignment is scheduled for March 6.

Convictions on the most serious charges carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison.

After the indictment was announced last week, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio said Renzi should seriously consider whether he should stay in Congress.

Boehner called the charges "completely unacceptable for a member of Congress."

Renzi's attorney, Kelly Kramer, issued a brief statement last week saying Renzi would "fight these charges until he is vindicated and his family's name is restored."

Renzi announced Aug. 23 that he wouldn't run for re-election in Arizona's mostly rural 1st Congressional District.