Charlie Rangel
A House Ethics Committee investigating the corruption charges against Congressman Charlie Rangel has recommended a reprimand against the New York Democrat, one of the slightest punishments available.
The slap on the wrist was revealed to reporters by Texas Democrat Rep. Tom Greene, reports The New York Daily News. Even though the punishment is only a bit more severe than the lightest penalty, a letter of reproval issued by the ethics committee, Rangel is adamant on proving his innocence.
The 13 charges against Rangel, which forced him resign from his Chair at the House Ways and Means Committee last March, include:
- Improperly soliciting money from corporate officials and lobbyists for the Charles B. Rangel Public Policy Center in New York
- Using congressional staff to develop a list of donors to the Rangel Center between 2005-2008
- Attempting to get federal earmarks to pay for the cost of the Rangel Center
- Failing to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars of income and assets on financial disclosure forms
- Maintaining multiple rent-stabilized apartments in violation of New York City rules
- Failing to pay income taxes on a Dominican island resort home
- Violating House gift rules and congressional franking regulations
Charlie Rangel
Rangel released a 32-page defense to fellow Democrats Friday, claiming he “did not dispense any political favors, that he did not intentionally violate any law, rule or regulation, and that he did not misuse his public office for private gain.”
Meanwhile, more than a half a dozen politicans from both sides of the aisle, including US President Barack Obama, have called for Rangel to resign from office in the light of up an upcoming ethics hearing.
“I think Charlie Rangel served a very long time and served his constituents very well, but these allegations are very troubling,” Obama said of the fellow Democrat. “He is somebody who is at the end of his career, 80 years old. I’m sure that what he wants is to be able to end his career with dignity, and my hope is that happens.”
Among the Congressman have called on Rangel to resign, is New York Rep. Michael Arcuri, who said the ongoing scandal has hurt the ability for Democrats to govern. Others calling for Rangel’s resignation include John Adler of New Jersey, Debbie Halvorson of Illinois, John Yarmuth of Kentucky, Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona and Mary Jo Kilroy of Ohio.
Rangel is still likely to win re-election
Rangel’s Democrat primary challenger, Adam Clayton Powell 4th, also called for Rangel to step down, saying, “he shouldn’t drag the nation through this.”
Despite the two-year-old scandal, Rangel remains likely to secure term number 21 in the upcoming election, reports Politico.com. This is due to his being well-liked among those most likely to vote for the Harlem Democrat in November.
However, Politico also reports that sources close to Rangel say that he would likely groom a successor to take over his seat and resign within a year of being re-elected.
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p.s.- sex-abuser, drunk driver
This s.o.b is guilty and he knows it. I say we put him in front of a firing squad.
Again, answer me, which one of you thinks that Adam Clayton Powell IV, son of the super-philanderer, crook, absentee Congressman “Rev.” Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., will be an improvement over Fat Charlie?
told you all……………….lol look at first post.
Look up the murder of NYPD P.O. Philip Cardillo.