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Ethics Investigator: We Recommended Reprimand For Rangel

Rachel Slajda | July 30, 2010, 2:00PM

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY)

Charles Rangel, Democrats, Ethics, Gene Green, House Ethics Committee, New York, New York City

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The House ethics panel's investigatory subcommittee says that they recommended to the full committed that Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) be reprimanded for his 13 alleged violations.

Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), who led the investigation, told reporters today that his committee recommended Rangel be reprimanded instead of the more serious penalties of censure or expulsion.

The recommendation was not part of the statement released by the committee yesterday.

The matter is now in the hands of the adjudicatory subcommittee which -- absent a settlement -- will hold a public trial and make a recommendation to the full House as to whether, and how, Rangel should be punished. The full House will then vote on its recommendation.

Rangel denied the reprimand recommendation to reporters today.

"It's untrue, it's just not so," he said.

A settlement would have to be agreed upon by Rangel and a majority of the committee, which is evenly split by Republicans and Democrats.

Rangel is charged with violating House rules for various activities, including fundraising he did for an educational center named for him, his failure to report assets on his tax returns and disclosure statements, and his use of four rent-controlled apartments in Harlem.

Late update: Green now says he "misspoke" and is apologizing to the head of the ethics committee for revealing his recommendation.

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Comments (12) | Join the Conversation!

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latichever

July 30, 2010 2:09 PM

I love Charlie, but he just has to go! We do not need this albatross hanging around our neck. We have enough problems going into the midterm already.

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Anonymous Bosch

July 30, 2010 2:43 PM in reply to latichever

Agreed and agreed.

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Eyepublius

July 30, 2010 2:35 PM

Reprimand?? Nope, not good enough . . . a reprimand as any good soldier knows amounts to an "ass-chewing," sometimes officially in writing and promotions can be slowed... but in elected officials with this record or abuse of office - nope: kick him out. I'm a fan of Rangel until now and a lifelong DEM, but he has to go.

~ Dan Francis (Watertown, NY)

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Matthew

July 30, 2010 4:39 PM in reply to Eyepublius

I like Rangel too, but in this case the punishment should meet the crime and I feel, given previous precedent, expulsion is not warranted.

According to OpenCongress.org:

In the history of the United States Congress there have been 19 Members expelled, 15 from the Senate and 4 from the House of Representatives. The majority of those expelled were removed from office for their support of the Confederacy in the immediate aftermath of secession.

Only three Members have been expelled recently and their ethics violations were far worse than Rangel's IMO.

1982: Sen. Harrison Williams, Jr. (NJ) resigned after the Committee on Ethics recommended his expulsion due to his "ethically repugnant" actions in the Abscam scandal.

1995: Sen. Robert Packwood (OR) resigned after the Committee of Ethics recommended his expulsion due to his gross sexual misconduct and his attempts to enrich himself through his official position.

2006: Rep. Bob Ney (OH) resigned his seat in Congress after being convicted in the Jack Abramoff bribery scandal

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mcc

July 30, 2010 2:48 PM

Dovetails nicely with the story about how the Republicans want to turn Rangel's behavior into a narrative. The Democrats are hurting themselves if they go light on Rangel.

What's the difference between a reprimand and a censure?

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johnnydoughey

July 30, 2010 3:07 PM

Rangel is one of their own elite. If they treat him like any other common citizen it would do irreparable damage to BOTH mobs... and set a precedent for future punishments.
To think... treating one of our important people like any common, everyday citizen...
Don't even think about it!

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Dave

July 30, 2010 4:22 PM in reply to johnnydoughey

I would like to see how each member voted. My guess is that very few members of the House on either side are much cleaner. It's one thing to put on a show. Taking action, however, could cause serious blowback. (You know, "people in glass houses...")

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latichever

July 30, 2010 4:40 PM

I do find it interesting that the Republicans get a pass on whoremonger Vitter and sexual predator Ensign, but that shows how toxic the environment might be for the Democrats.

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MyMy

July 30, 2010 5:05 PM

Well, Rangel has made financial missteps, but other questions come to mind regarding Republicans who would try to cast the first stone here. The congressmen getting way below market rents at C Street would be one example--not a peep from the 'ethics' committee.

Of course, if the Republicans were in charge they would be persecuting every single Democrat they could--per Darrell Issa, their pack leader. It's almost a shame that the Democrats have chosen to investigate their own guy, but then, it is probably important that they did.

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goldiera

July 30, 2010 5:49 PM

The corrupt judging the misconduct of one of their own...our congress is rotten to the core. Nothing will come of this, because they are all stealing us blind. They ALL need to go. The actions and response from Rangel tells me he sees nothing wrong with his behavior....he has no conscience left.
Our nation is in the hands of corrupt, incompetent and greedy leaders who cannot see beyond their own self-interests.
Wake up America.

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