Today's Daily Schadenfreude: Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.)

Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) was indicted today on numerous charges related to two alleged criminal conspiracies involving business dealings. Couldn't happen to a nicer more deserving guy:

If convicted, Renzi, 49, could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on the most serious counts, plus fines of $250,000.

[...]

According to court papers, the congressman was a central figure in two, separate criminal conspiracies. In one, he is accused of manipulating a federal land exchange to financially benefit himself and [Texas real estate investor James W.] Sandlin, a former business partner who owed him money. In the other, he allegedly looted cash from his insurance company's trust fund to help finance his first election campaign, then attempted a cover-up with Beardall's assistance.

[U.S. Attorney for Arizona Diane] Humetewa said the allegations suggest that Renzi "betrayed the trust of the citizens of Arizona" by misusing his public office.

[...]

Allegations about the land-exchange deal involve a labyrinth of business transactions between Renzi and his former partner, Sandlin. According to the indictment, the two men acquired real estate together in Kingman. In 2003, court papers say, Sandlin bought out Renzi's interest for $1 million, paying $200,000 down and signing a promissory note for the remaining $800,000.

Two years later, at a time when Sandlin still owed $700,000, Renzi attempted to manipulate a federal land exchange by forcing participants to include property owned by Sandlin, the indictment says. In his official capacity as a congressman, the indictment adds, Renzi told representatives from two different companies that he would not support the transactions unless Sandlin's land was included.

In addition to extortion, Renzi is accused of concealing Sandlin's debt to him from Congress and failing to include it in financial disclosure statements. Renzi and Sandlin also are charged with money-laundering in connection with the use of funds obtained through criminal conduct.

The indictment involving Renzi's family business stems from efforts to finance his election campaign in 2001 and 2002. According to the indictment, Renzi embezzled more than $400,000 in insurance premiums from a trust at Patriot Insurance Agency Inc. in Santa Cruz County. He and [Maryland attorney James] Beardall are accused of making false statements to authorities and committing fraud in an attempt to conceal the theft.

Hoo boy, ol' Ricky was busy, wasn't he? Hard to believe he had time for canoodling with one of America's Wang™'s own.

What? You don't remember who Renzi's BFF was for a while in Congress? Here, let me refresh your memory:



Poor Krazy Kitty ... here she is, all set to be portrayed in a major motion picture, and her erstwhile boytoy might have to watch it from prison. My heart breaks for her ... but my heart also congratulates Rick Renzi: you can take solace in the fact that today's Blast Off! Daily Schadenfreude once again is for you!