The New Charlie Rangel, Ethics Free
This September, New York Congressman Charlie Rangel (D) will be running for a 21st Congressional term. Aside from the fact that he's an 80 year old man, and where I come from most 80 year olds have trouble making basic decisions like switching lanes or getting discount medications, he's also under investigation for multiple ethics violations.
The longtime Congressman will be running against the son of a former foe whom he defeated in 1970, but not before he goes before a House Trial committee. After a subcommittee reviews the case that another subcommittee put together, or something like that. There are more subcommittees involved here than a homeowners association.
What's he going in front of the House Trial committee for? Why for ethics violations of course. Really, a congressman with ethics violations at this point is like a pre-teen girl with a mad crush on one of the Jonas Brothers. They all might not have one, but wouldn't complain if one came knocking on their door.
The charges against Rangel aren't of the spectacular nature, more like the mistakes of an old man who still thinks he's living in an era where it was okay to not give a crap about fuzzy little inconveniences like "ethics."
Specifically, they are:
His use of official stationary to raise money for his Public Service center. This one is kind of weak. He stole office supplies. Whoopdie-do.
His use of four rent controlled apartments in NYC, using on as a campaign office. The problem here is the city only allows rent controlled apartments to be just the primary residence. There was something shady going on here for sure. Some palms have been waxed.
His failure to report income on his financial disclosure forms, specifically his rental unit at the Punta Cana Yacht Club in the Dominican Republic. This one is interesting, because while it can be chalked up as an oversight, that he missed reporting it, it could also be assumed that he thought that he could effectively keep that income quiet. Though I would go with the oversight, you know, cause he's old.
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