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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