The hits just keep on coming in the case of Representative Rick Renzi (R-AZ).  Amid broader questions of whether or not the firings of eight US Attorneys were politically-motivated comes closer scrutiny in one of the instances.  

US Attorney Paul Charlton of Arizona was investigating Renzi for a suspicious land deal, and the case was heating up just before the November 2006 elections.  When Charlton went to the Justice Department for authorization for search warrants, subpoenas, and wiretaps in order to further the case, he was met with delay after delay.  In September of 2006, Charlton's name was added to the list of prosecutors to be fired - months after the rest of the other prosecutors' names on the list.  Renzi won reelection with just 51% of the vote, and Charlton was fired on December 7.

Today we learn that Renzi's chief of staff, Brian Murrary, called Charlton's office six weeks before the firings to ask about the investigation into his boss' activities.  Charlton thought this was a tad improper, and reported the call to the Justice Department.  Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is pretty angry about this, too - he sent a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales yesterday demanding full disclosure of any and all such contact: