Renzi is requesting bail amid corruption appeal

TUCSON — Former U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi is asking a federal judge in Tucson to allow him to remain free on bail while he appeals his conviction on public corruption, money laundering and other charges.

Federal prosecutors are opposing Renzi’s request to delay the start of his threeyear prison sentence.

Renzi, 55, claims he has a good chance of winning a new trial or lesser sentence on appeal. Prosecutors disagree.

Renzi and co-defendant James Sandlin are set to report to prison in January. Sandlin was ordered to serve 18 months.

Renzi was convicted in June on 17 of 32 counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy, extortion, racketeering and money laundering.

He left office in 2008 while facing the indictment.

Renzi now lives in Burke, Va. Sandlin resides in Sherman, Texas.

Widow: Ben Miranda died of a heart attack

PHOENIX — The widow of former Arizona lawmaker Ben Miranda says her husband’s death was the result of heart disease.

Rep. Catherine Miranda announced Monday that she recently received information that the cause of her husband’s death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which resulted in a heart attack.

Ben Miranda died in November at age 64.

He had served in the Arizona House from 2003 through 2011.

He was an outspoken opponent of state immigration laws and was a leader in the Legislature’s Latino caucus.

His widow now holds his legislative seat.

Temple jury selection likely to conclude today