Legal Filings

Nov 05, 2008

CREW FILES AMICUS BRIEF IN REP. RENZI APPEAL

Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed an amicus brief before the Arizona District Court in United States v. Renzi in support on the United States.

Rep. Renzi claims government agents improperly heard legislative material while conducting their investigation into his activities, and has asked the court to dismiss his indictment as a violation the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution.

CREW explained in its brief, however, that the Speech or Debate Clause does not give Rep. Renzi blanket immunity from prosecution. The Clause only covers matters that realistically threaten to control a congressperson’s conduct as a legislator, and Rep. Renzi’s negotiations related to land-exchange legislation are not covered.

Click here to read CREW's amicus brief.