13 Charges Against Charlie Rangel

[Stalewind]

The House ethics committee announced 13 charges Thursday against Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who is accused of breaking House rules as well as federal statutes.

Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas), the chairman of an investigating committee, read the charges against Rangel as the ethics committee began an organization meeting setting up a public trial for Rangel.

The charges deal with four main areas of improper activity:

1.) Improperly using his letterhead, staff and franking privilege to solicit donations to the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Policy at the City College of New York

2.) Using a 4 rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem, including one for his campaign office

3.) Failing to report more than $600,000 on his financial disclosure report

4.) Failing to pay taxes on rental income from a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic

Charlie is a DUMBASS!

He should have taken the closed door deal, now the investigation is over and the charges have been filed.

Both Democrats and Republicans are opposed to any "deal" to avoid trial.

[Greggzee]

I feel like this is a Starkist Tuna Commercial........Sorry Charlie

[Stalewind]

OMG... Too funny!

I think Charlie was trying to play hardball. Privately a deal could have been done with Democrats, before the investigation was complete and the charges were announced. Now this case will come before the Congress in a public trial.

Pelosi and the Democratic leaders are backing away from Charlie today, some Democrats have quietly returned past campaign contributions from him and at least 3 Democrats are now calling for Charlie to resign.

But Charlie is 80 years old and has collected "dirt" on everyone the past 40 years in Congress. He is likely using this information as a political threat to gain a favorable deal which allows him to admit nothing and remain in office.

Sorry Charile

[divemaster]

Looks like all he will get is a slap on the wrist. You would think the IRS would be on him about the tax???

[Stalewind]

From what has been reported the Democrats tried to get him to take a deal before the charges were announced, to avoid a political trial during the primary election. That deal would have given him a repremand (slap on the wrist), but he would have to admit his crimes.

Rangel decided he wouldn't admit anything and make the Congress hold a trial.

Now the Democrats are angry that he has refused even their original deal and is forcing them to hold a trial. If found "guilty" of the ethics charges he could face much tougher sentence of expulsion. If you listen Queen Pelosi has said "let the chips fall where they may now". Other Democratic leaders are equally upset and frustrated by Rangel's refusal to admit any wrong doing.

And the Republicans have a campaign issue to beat up the Democrats. Remember Pelosi said the Democrats were going to drain the swamp of corruption, they can't do that and give Charlie a pass.

And Maxine Waters is next in line for charges from her ethics investigation.

[divemaster]

I still wonder why the IRS isn't on his butt?

[Stalewind]

He was Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.