Former congressman to enter prison Monday

Former Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) is slated to begin his prison sentence next Monday after a judge denied his request to remain out on bail while he appeals his charges. 

According to The Associated Press, District Judge David Bury on Tuesday said Renzi has not introduced a case that is likely to overturn his conviction during an appeal. 

{mosads}Renzi was convicted of 17 charges last October that included wire fraud, conspiracy, extortion, racketeering, money laundering and making false statements, according to The AP.

He had been scheduled to enter prison earlier this year, but received a temporary extension while the judge weighed his request to remain free on bail. 

He was accused of partly paying for his first congressional campaign in 2002 with money from his family business. 

Prosecutors also found that Renzi, while in Congress, proposed a deal that would get an Arizona land deal through the House if a portion of his business associate’s land was included in the exchange. 

The former congressman was sentenced to three years in prison. His associate, James Sandlin was sentenced to a year and a half. 

Renzi served from 2002 to 2008 and did not run for reelection that year.