Charlie Rangel Ethics Hearing

There were reports that he cut a deal but based on the statements made so far at the House Ethics Sub-committee meeting, it doesn't sound like it.

Hearing is just getting under way.

13 charges in total broken down into 4 categories:

- Solicitation of donation for "Rangel Center" from individuals and organizations
with business in front of Ways and Means Committee while he was the
Chairman.

- Errors and omissions on financial statements to the House.

- Use of rent controlled apartment.

- Not reporting condo on income taxes.

Look, the dude just wrote the rules and tax laws, no one said anything about actually following them.

Republican on investigating sub-committee says Rangel was given more than one chance to settle the case and Rangel declined.

Rangel isn't going to appear today, it's an organizational meeting not the 'trial' phase.

Meeting just wrapped up after the two Congressmen who conducted the investigation gave their statements and formally filled the charges.

Chairwoman of committee says the documents are on the committee's website.

Most ethical Congress EVAH!

When it looked like there was a deal, I commented on Twitter that part of the deal would be for Rangel to permanently give up the Ways and Means Chairmanship...you know the one that he's going to lose in 5 months anyway.

If it goes all the way through the process that's a possibility but based on the charges it sounds like he'd either have to resign/promise not to run this year or really face expulsion (still hard to believe it would get there).

The last Congressman to make it this far was James Traficant (another Democrat) and he was tossed out and wound up spending about 5 years in federal prison.

On the political front...an ethics trial of one of the most senior Democrats in the House in the run up to this year's elections? Thank you Charlie Rangel!

posted by DrewM. at 02:18 PM

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