Announcements

SRZ Client Acquitted of Insurance Fraud and Conspiracy

July 9, 2010

A federal jury in Tucson, Ariz, on July 8 acquitted SRZ client Andrew Beardall of conspiracy and two counts of insurance fraud in a case tied to allegations that former Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi took $400,000 from his family insurance business to fund his campaigns and personal expenses. Mr. Beardall was the insurance firm's president and lawyer from late 2002 through 2003 and was specifically accused of making false statements and reports to two state insurance regulators. Former company accountant Dwayne Lequire was convicted of conspiracy and eight of 10 counts of embezzlement, although he was acquitted on two other counts.

Peter H. White, the SRZ litigation partner who represented Mr. Beardall, of Rockville, Md., told the Associated Press, "The real story with the case was this was a political prosecution. They were seeking to convict Mr. Beardall based not on what he had done, but based on what Mr. Renzi had done. We're gratified that the jury could see that Mr. Beardall was innocent, and he looks forward to moving on with his life."