Breaking

U.S. Congressman Rick Renzi is seeking a delay in his corruption trial, Roll Call is reporting.

From Roll Call: 

After the Justice Department filed a 35-count indictment against Renzi in February, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona set a trial date of April 29. The indictment alleges that Renzi offered to support legislation for a mining company in exchange for the company buying property from Renzi’s former business partner, who owed the Congressman hundreds of thousands of dollars. The government also alleges that Renzi skimmed money from his family’s insurance business to fill his campaign coffers. Renzi has denied all the charges, and entered a plea of not guilty.

But in a motion filed Wednesday, Renzi’s attorneys argued that the government will be required to provide the defense with substantial amounts of evidence, including wiretap recordings, but none of this material ‘has yet been produced, and it appears unlikely that all discovery will be provided prior to the current trial date.’

First District U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi has been indicted on charges related to a land deal, the AP is reporting.

CNN is reporting that Mitt Romney will formally endorse Sen. John McCain today at a press conference in Boston, Mass.

Dana Bash, correspondent for CNN, reported just now that fmr. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will hold a press conference at 3:30 EST this afternoon to throw his support behind Republican presidential frontrunner John McCain.

The Business Journal of Phoenix is reporting that Sean Noble, Rep. John Shadegg's chief of staff, is weighing entering the race for the CD3 seat being vacated by Shadegg. State Sen. Jim Waring (R-Phoenix) was also mentioned as a possible contender:

"Phoenix Congressman John Shadegg said Monday he would not seek reelection in November and will exit the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of the year.  read more »