Congressman Charlie Rangel’s hot water just got hotter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) July 27, 2010 -- 80 year-old Charlie Rangel has been serving in government since 1971. A Democrat representing New York, Rangel is the senior member of the congressional delegation. Since January 2007, Rangel has been Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee which shapes our tax laws. Born in Harlem, New York, Mr. Rangel has a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law which he obtained in 1960.

Congressman Rangel’s troubles began in 2008 with allegations of ethical violations. As of February 2010, the House Ethics Committee stated Rangel violated gift rules, when he was accused of accepting money from corporations to travel to conferences in the Caribbean. He is also under investigation for allegedly living in four rent-stabilized apartments in New York while claiming his primary residence is in Washington, D.C. for tax purposes.

According to The New York Times, the Congressman received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from one of the owners of the apartment complex in which Rangel maintains his four rent-stabilized apartments. Rangel is also being investigated for failure to disclose rental income from a villa he owns in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Adding to the allegations, is the accusation of using his office improperly to raise money for a public policy center in his name at the City College of New York.

As of March 2010, Rangel stepped down as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. In July 2010, Rangel was charged with ethics violations by the House Ethics Committee. Congressman Rangel has stated “I’m in the kitchen and I’m not walking out” and he would “make certain, before this election, people know who Charlie Rangel is.” Rangel has a primary coming up on Sept. 14th. A formal hearing is next for his political future.

Rangel remains as feisty as ever. When asked by reporters if he would testify at time of trial, Charlie answered, “you bet your sweet a--," "If I can testify, I will." In spite of Rangel’s apparent bravado, rumors have been circulating that Rangel’s lawyers are hammering out an agreement to avoid a trial.
COMPLETE STORY AT: http://www.examiner.com/x-22880-NY-Cultural-Issues-Examiner~y2010m7d27-Congressman-Charlie-Rangels-hot-water-just-got-hotter