House Ethics Panel Holds Trial Without Rangel
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The House Ethics Committee continued its hearing Monday on alleged violations committed by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), who had asked to delay the trial so he could set up a legal defense fund.
Rangel, a 21-term lawmaker and the former chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, is accused of more than a dozen ethics violations including failing to report income in his financial disclosure forms.
The congressman left the hearing after telling the committee he needed time to raise money for a new lawyer. The firm that had represented Rangel during the panel’s two-year investigation withdrew last month. He has already spent $2 million and needs $1 million to obtain counsel.
In his remarks during the hearing, Rangel emphatically accused the committee of denying him due process. He said he had been asking for more time since his lawyer withdrew, and that the committee informed him he could set up a legal defense fund only two weeks ago.
“I have been asking for this matter to be heard,” Rangel said. “My family has gone through hell. I have not been able to explain my position ever because of rules of confidentiality. Each time I’ve asked for a hearing, did any of you believe I was asking for a hearing without counsel?”
“I had hoped that you would do it before the Democratic primary. It would have been helpful if you did it before the general election,” added the lawmaker, who won re-election by a landslide.
Rangel criticized the panel for taking too long in their probe and then telling him there was not time to postpone proceedings so he could obtain a lawyer. He said his fellow Democrats want his hearing held before the end of the session.
The committee members, led by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), met behind closed doors to discuss Rangel’s request but later decided to move forward with the public trial.
Lofgren explained that Rangel had repeatedly sought and received guidance from the committee on how he could pay for legal fees.
Rangel is not allowed to receive pro bono representation and the committee is not authorized to force the congressman’s lawyer to return and defend him during the hearing.
“We are prepared to proceed today, we understand that Mr. Rangel has indicated he does not intend to participate,” said Lofgren, also chair of the adjudicatory subcommittee. “No conclusions can be drawn by the fact that Mr. Rangel has decided not to participate in this meeting.”
Rangel, 80, stepped down as chair of the Ways and Means Committee in March amid continued calls for his resignation and the ethics panel’s probe on allegations against him.
He is accused of using congressional letterhead to solicit businesses and foundations for donations to the Rangel Center at City College in New York. Lawmakers are allowed to solicit funds but without using any public resources, including the congressional letterhead.
He failed to declare income from a villa in the Dominican Republic in his tax returns, a mistake he has said was unintentional. He is charged with using four rent-controlled apartments, including one for campaign work, in one building, in violation of the building code and zoning regulations.
Rangel has paid the Internal Revenue Service at least $10,800 in back taxes. In late 2008, he hired a forensic accountant to fix other irregularities in his tax returns. He also amended his 2007 financial statements to include an account worth $250,000 at the Congressional Federal Credit Union and a portfolio fund worth at least $250,000.
Rangel’s alleged violations of disclosure rules are particularly serious, having been the longtime chairman of the House committee responsible for writing the nation’s tax laws. Among the evidence on exhibit is a document showing a wire transfer to him from the Punta Cana Yacht Club as far back as 2002.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), who early in the hearing said Rangel and Republican lawmakers had been one in asking the panel this summer that the trial be held, pointed out that Rangel should be held to a higher standard.
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