ARIZONA

Supreme Court denies Renzi appeal of conviction

Associated Press
Former Arizona congressman Rick Renzi.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from former Arizona Rep. Rick Renzi seeking a new trial after his conviction on public corruption, money laundering and other charges.

The justices on Monday let stand a lower court ruling rejecting arguments that prosecutors violated a constitutional clause by introducing evidence about Renzi's legislative work.

Renzi was convicted of conspiring to use his congressional seat to make two companies buy land owned by his former business associate so that the associate could repay a debt he owed to Renzi.

Renzi began serving a three-year prison sentence in February.