Reps make inquiry in Hoerig case

NEWTON FALLS — U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-13th, and Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, and four of their House colleagues, wrote a letter to Mauro Vierira, Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, asking for information about a potential citizenship proceeding for

Claudia Hoerig, a native of Brazil accused of the 2007 murder of her husband in Newton Falls.

Brazil has refused to extradite her back to the United States to stand trial despite efforts by

several elected officials. Brazil will not extradite its citizens.

The Brazilian minister of justice put Hoerig on notice in August 2012 that if she did not present a defense within 30 days, which has passed, she could lose her citizenship, according to the letter.