Rangel Responds to Racist Charges

After delaying its hearing for one hour amidst press reports of a potential deal, which Rangel repeatedly denied was the case, the House Ethics Committee at 2 p.m. issued a statement of alleged ethics violations committed by Rep. Charlie Rangel. In support of the alleged violations, the Committee issued a statement of 273 alleged facts.

In response to the statement of alleged violations, Rangel's attorneys submitted a statement that stresses that "For forty years, Congressman Rangel has faithfully served the people of New York's Fifteenth District. He has at all times acted in his constituents' best interests and has brought them economic and educational opportunities, as exemplified by his tireless support for the City College of New York ("CCNY"). Congressman Rangel donated his official papers to CCNY, secured appropriations to support the College's academic program in public service, and promoted the program to education-minded philanthropists. The benefit Congressman Rangel received from this work is the satisfaction of fulfilling his obligations to his constituents. He did not profit economically, nor did he ever link his work for CCNY with matters before the Ways & Means Committee. The Statement of Alleged Violation in this case is deeply flawed in its factual premises and legal theories, not only with regard to CCNY, but also as to the other claims. The undisputed evidence in the record — assembled by the Investigative Subcommittee over its nearly two-year investigation—is that Congressman Rangel did not dispense any political favors, that he did not intentionally violate any law, rule or regulation, and that he did not misuse his public office for private gain."