PHOENIX (AP) -
An Arizona legislator who served on the Tempe City Council for 16 years faces a federal indictment charging him with bribery and other crimes stemming from an FBI undercover operation.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, the indictment issued Wednesday charges Democratic Rep. Ben Arredondo of Tempe with bribery, fraud, attempted extortion and false statements.
The department says the charges' allegations include that Arredondo received more than $6,000 in tickets to sporting and special events in 2009 and 2010 while a Tempe City Council member.
The department says Arredondo solicited the tickets from undercover FBI agents posing as representatives of a company seeking to acquire city-owned property.
Arredondo did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and it's not known whether he has an attorney.
Officials for the city released a statement saying that they were "not made aware during the course of the investigation about the FBI's operation."
Arizona House Minority Leader Chad Campbell, D-Phoenix, released the following statement: "We are shocked by the news of the charges against Mr. Arredondo. We are learning about the details through media reports, the same as most people. When laws are broken people must take responsibility. Mr. Arredondo should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Regardless, House Democrats will remain focused on creating jobs and improving education in Arizona."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press and Tucson News Now. All rights reserved.
