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July 23, 2010
Dermocrat Rep. Charlie Rangel Charged With Ethics Violations
Rep. Charlie Rangel charged with ethics violations. Rangel speaks to reporters in the Rayburn Room of the U.S. Capitol on possible Ethics Violations. Here Rangel scolds Luke Russert of MSNBC for what he feels was a dumb question regarding his political future.
A House investigative committee on Thursday charged New York Rep. Charles Rangel with multiple ethics violations, a blow to the former Ways and Means chairman and an election-year headache for Democrats.
The committee did not immediately specify the charges against the Democrat, who has served in the House for some 40 years and is fourth in House seniority. The announcement by a four-member panel of the House ethics committee sends the case to a House trial, where a separate eight-member panel of Republicans and Democrats will decide whether the violations can be proved by clear and convincing evidence.
Rangel led the tax-writing Ways and Means panel until he stepped aside last March after the ethics committee criticized him in a separate case — finding that he should have known corporate money was paying for his trips to two Caribbean conferences.
Officials said that in the current case, the committee and Rangel’s attorney tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a settlement. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions. A settlement would have required Rangel to agree that he violated ethics rules.
The investigation of Rangel has focused on:
—His use of official stationery to raise money for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at City College of New York.
—Whether he had the Ways and Means Committee consider legislation that would benefit donors to the Rangel Center at the same time the congressman solicited donations or pledges.
—Preserved a tax shelter for an oil drilling company, Nabors Industries, which has a chief executive who donated money to the center while Rangel’s committee considered the loophole legislation.
—Used four rent-controlled apartment units in New York City, when the city’s rent stabilization program is supposed to apply to one’s primary residence. This raises the question of how all the units could be primary residences. One was a campaign office, raising the separate question of whether the rent break was an improper gift.
—Whether Rangel, as required, publicly reported information on the financing and rental of his ownership interest in a unit within the Punta Cana Yacht Club in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Rangel also had to pay back taxes on the rental income.
—Intentionally failed to report — when required — hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in assets. The amended disclosure reports added a credit union IRA, mutual fund accounts and stock.
Wild Thing's comment.......
Hmmmm did I just see a pig fly by???? Or hell freeze over maybe?
"The American people voted to restore integrity and honesty in Washington, D.C., and the Democrats intend to lead the most honest, most open and most ethical Congress in history," ~ Nancy Pelosi.
Far from fulfilling that promise, Nancy Pelosi and company represent the filthiest, most corrupt den of jackals that this country has ever seen.
"Sources said the committee and Rangel's attorney attempted unsuccessfully to negotiate a settlement to end the case."
It must be very bad if they charged one of their own with ethics violations!
Posted by Wild Thing at July 23, 2010 07:49 AM
Comments
*tick*tick*tick*tick*...when do we hear the call of "racism" from charlie wrinkled??
Posted by: jan at July 23, 2010 09:12 AM
I hope Rangel finally pays for his criminal lifestyle. Of course his district will send another politician of the same ilk, but it will still be a form of justice if Rangel loses his throne in Congress.
Posted by: TomR,armed in Texas at July 23, 2010 10:28 AM
Gee now isn’t this a shock,not!! Number one reason for term limits…
Posted by: Gator at July 23, 2010 11:25 AM
One has to wonder just what is going on behind the sceens. Charlie Rangle and Chris Dodd get called on their ehics violations after thirty years of being untouchable. Weird.
Posted by: Avitar at July 23, 2010 01:44 PM
I'm betting he gets a slap on the wrist. As opposed to Joe Wilson who called obama a liar, he was censored...for telling the truth.
Rangle will probably get an award.
Posted by: Mark at July 23, 2010 02:18 PM
