State Rep. Ben Arredondo indicted by DOJ
The U.S. Justice Department has indicted a member of the Arizona House of Representatives. Tempe Democrat Ben Arredondo is accused of five counts, including bribery, fraud and attempted extortion. From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Mark Brodie reports.
MARK BRODIE: The charges stem from Arredondo receiving about $6,000 worth of tickets to sporting and charity events, as a Tempe City Councilman and state Representative-elect. The feds set up a fictitious company, called Company A, which claimed to develop real estate projects, including in Tempe. The indictment says Arredondo took the tickets and charity contributions from representatives of Company A, “intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with Company A’s development project” in Tempe. DOJ says Arredondo also lied to federal agents about those activities. Arredondo’s office says the first term lawmaker would not comment on the indictment at this time, on the advice of his attorney.
