Top Republican Says No Deal for Charlie Rangel in Ethics Scandal
Patricia Murphy
Capitol Hill Bureau Chief
Posted:
07/29/10
A New York television station reported Thursday that Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) had struck a deal with the House ethics committee to avoid a public trial on ethics charges in exchange for admitting wrongdoing on several alleged violations of House rules. Rangel would not confirm a deal had been struck when asked by reporters.
CBS New York cited "several Harlem sources" who told the station they understand the deal would be unveiled at a Capitol Hill hearing Thursday afternoon. The sources did not know the specifics of what Rangel would reportedly admit to.
But when asked by reporters about a possible deal, Rangel said, "I don't know. I'll tell you one thing, until someone tells me that there is, there isn't."
By early afternoon, the station walked its story back with the headline, "Was Deal Axed at the 11th hour?"
During the ethics committee's hearing, the top Republican on the committee, Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.), shed some light on the proceedings, saying the committee had made Rangel several offers to avoid the trial, but Rangel turned them all down.
Bonner and Rep. Gene Green, a Texas Democrat, then outlined the 13 charges against Rangel, including misuse of House resources, violations of the House ban on members taking gifts and making solicitations, and conduct reflecting discredit on the House.
The hearing comes 21 months after Rangel himself asked the committee to investigate him after several media reports raised questions about the congressman's tax filings on his house in the Dominican Republic and other possible instances of tax evasion. Until this year, Rangel was chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, the panel that writes tax law.
Earlier this year, he stepped down from his chairmanship under pressure from fellow Democrats. Rangel insisted at the time that his resignation was temporary, and that he would take his post back when he is cleared of the charges.
Instead of keeping a low profile, Rangel has been a visible presence on Capitol Hill and in his Harlem district since the committee announced it would pursue charges against him.
On Wednesday, he spoke to the Urban League, saying, "Whether it's personal or political, life ain't no crystal stair."
On Thursday, Rangel told reporters the ethics investigation is taking a toll on him. "Sixty years ago I survived a Chinese attack in North Korea and as a result I wrote a book saying that I hadn't had a bad day since," Rangel said. "Today I have to reassess that statement."
CBS New York cited "several Harlem sources" who told the station they understand the deal would be unveiled at a Capitol Hill hearing Thursday afternoon. The sources did not know the specifics of what Rangel would reportedly admit to.
But when asked by reporters about a possible deal, Rangel said, "I don't know. I'll tell you one thing, until someone tells me that there is, there isn't."
By early afternoon, the station walked its story back with the headline, "Was Deal Axed at the 11th hour?"
During the ethics committee's hearing, the top Republican on the committee, Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.), shed some light on the proceedings, saying the committee had made Rangel several offers to avoid the trial, but Rangel turned them all down.
Bonner and Rep. Gene Green, a Texas Democrat, then outlined the 13 charges against Rangel, including misuse of House resources, violations of the House ban on members taking gifts and making solicitations, and conduct reflecting discredit on the House.
The hearing comes 21 months after Rangel himself asked the committee to investigate him after several media reports raised questions about the congressman's tax filings on his house in the Dominican Republic and other possible instances of tax evasion. Until this year, Rangel was chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, the panel that writes tax law.
Earlier this year, he stepped down from his chairmanship under pressure from fellow Democrats. Rangel insisted at the time that his resignation was temporary, and that he would take his post back when he is cleared of the charges.
Instead of keeping a low profile, Rangel has been a visible presence on Capitol Hill and in his Harlem district since the committee announced it would pursue charges against him.
On Wednesday, he spoke to the Urban League, saying, "Whether it's personal or political, life ain't no crystal stair."
On Thursday, Rangel told reporters the ethics investigation is taking a toll on him. "Sixty years ago I survived a Chinese attack in North Korea and as a result I wrote a book saying that I hadn't had a bad day since," Rangel said. "Today I have to reassess that statement."