Lawmaker Case Snarled on Wiretap Worries

Many watchful eyes are turning to watch the trial of Democratic ex-lawmaker William Jefferson, which begins today.

But for real drama, we’d do well to look out to Arizona, where the government’s case against another ex-lawmaker, Arizona GOPer Rick Renzi, appears to be a growing mess. This, at a time when government anti-corruption prosecutors don’t need another mess.

The skinny: Investigators tapped Renzi’s cell phone, but caught conversations he had with his lawyers, which are protected under law. Oops.

Prosecutors have downplayed the impact of the revelation, but Renzi’s (many) lawyers are pushing to learn every detail of the extent of the alleged oversteps, and use them to call for dismissal of some or all of the charges against Renzi. Coming days will see hearings in Arizona on the matter.

Hardly the thing government prosecutors need, after the bungled prosecution of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK). Or the double-whoopsie Justice recently emitted, when it asked a court to release two former Alaska state legislators it had (improperly) convicted on corruption charges.