‘Discredit’: Rep. Bonner Rips Rangel at Sentencing Hearing
- Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:58pm by
Scott Baker
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WASHINGTON (AP) – The House ethics committee’s chief counsel recommended Thursday that veteran Rep. Charles Rangel of New York be censured for financial and fundraising misconduct as lawmakers neared closure on a 2 1/2-year-long scandal.
The committee deliberated behind closed doors Thursday after counsel Blake Chisam made his recommendation and Rangel pleaded for fairness, telling the panel he was not a crooked politician.
Chisam’s recommendation was that Rangel receive the most serious congressional discipline short of expulsion. A censure resolution would require a vote by the House disapproving Rangel’s conduct and the speaker would orally administer an embarrassing rebuke to the 20-term Democrat in front of his colleagues.
The ethics committee, made up of five Democrats and five Republicans, could opt for lighter punishments, such as a reprimand, fine or a report deploring Rangel’s behavior.
The full House would have to vote on a reprimand or fine, but Rangel would be spared the embarrassment of being rebuked at the front of the chamber, called the well. The House also could change the recommended discipline by making it more serious or less serious.
Rangel, 80, who has served in the House for 40 years, ended a sanctions hearing with an emotional plea to salvage his reputation.
Before speaking, he sat for several minutes trying to compose himself. He placed his hands over his eyes and then his chin, before he slowly stood up and said in a gravelly voice that was barely audible: “I don’t know how much longer I have to live.”
Facing the committee members, he asked them to “see your way clear to say, ‘This member was not corrupt.’”
He continued: “There’s no excuse for my behavior and no intent to go beyond what has been given to me as a salary. I apologize for any embarrassment I’ve caused you individually and collectively as a member of the greatest institution in the world.”
In the most dramatic clash of the proceeding, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, questioned the assertion of Rangel—the former chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee—that he wasn’t corrupt.
“Failure to pay taxes for 17 years. What is that?” McCaul asked, referring to Rangel’s shortchanging the Internal Revenue Service on rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic.
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Comments (161)
rondo
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:39pmRight on Cong Bonner its about time you congressmen confront these corrupt lying politicians like Rangle and get them thrown out of office. Show some courage and lets start pushing back
Report Post »missionarydad
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:39pmIt would have never came to this if Rangel would have owned up to his misdeeds, done what he could to correct his mistakes and put the blame squarely on himself. If he had the decency, humility and character of a good public servant he would have voluntarily stepped down not only from the Ways And Means Committee, but also from Congress all together. Shame on you Congressman! That being said I would guess when it is all said and done his punishment will amount to a slap on the wrist.
Report Post »traderdan
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:34pmIt seems people in Alabama (unlike my home state of California) think with more common sense over those with big fancy degrees and titles
Report Post »Hoser
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:32pmAnother example that we are no longer a Nation of Law. Censure? The Ruling Class again prevails. If this were any of us — i.e. The Unwashed Masses, The Uneducated Serfs, The “Clingers” (clinging to our God and guns) — then we would be history. Period.
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:30pmZoe Lofgren, the chair, was busy having Steven Colbert testify on immigration before the Nov. elections. Colbert’s testimony, being so important, was the reason they could not get to censuring Rangel and Waters before the elections. But Lofgren is a dumb Dem, what do you expect?
Report Post »ENOUGHWITHLIBTARDS
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:28pmNothing is going to happen to this ghetto trash. If they kick him out, 99% of the politicans in D.C. will have to follow him.
Report Post »senah
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:28pmPeople who get caught like this should be removed from office, and then have their pension and health benefits taken away. There should be harsh punishment to prevent this type of crap while holding offfice.
Report Post »bookofwisdom
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:24pmI agree with you Senah. I don’t understand politics because it makes no sense to me how he still has a job. If he was in the private sector he would be in jail. Right? May God Bless.
Report Post »Biggbore
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:25pmABSOLUTELY !! Then the REST would SNAP, Hey my GOLDEN parachute just got unpacked !!
Report Post »Fear The Voices
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 8:00pmI don’t think the founders intended these positions to be a career, they shouldn’t have pensions or lifetime health care benefits.
Report Post »If we removed these from the position, perhaps we could get more people of character to run for them, rather than what we often get, low-life lawyers and general scum.
jjufon
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:28pmhow much in interest and penalties did he pay on the unpaid taxes??
i know how much i had to paid on 2K 4 years ago and how the IRS made dam sure they got every cent, but then I’m just a normal person subject to the laws for normal folks
Report Post »Rich Cranium
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:25pmIF he were a conservative, he would be long gone. The bias in DC and the lamestream media is horrid.
Report Post »Mary M. Tebbe
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:40pmrich cranium: You are correct. The double standard is sickening. Good Republicans have been sent packing immediately for far less, but the democrats seem to just hang in there. I’ll be interested to see what they do with him, but I’m afraid it will only be a hand slap.
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:24pmAccording to Charlie Rangel, if you serve the country for 50 years as he has, you are entitled to more foregiveness than other people.
Report Post »Mayday
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 3:19pmNOT IN THE CASE OF CONGRESSMAN DUKE CUNNINGHAM…
http://articles.cnn.com/2006-03-03/justice/cunningham.sentenced_1_congressman-cunningham-jason-forge-mitchell-wade?_s=PM:LAW
March 2006 the decorated “former Navy fighter pilot who shot down five MiGs during the Vietnam War was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison for taking $2.4 million in bribes from at least three defense contractors.
The sentence is the highest ever for a former member of Congress, prosecutor Jason Forge said. Cunningham was taken into custody after sentencing, he said.
The 64-year-old Cunningham, a former U.S. representative from California, pleaded guilty November 28 to conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion. He also pleaded guilty to a separate tax-evasion violation for failing to disclose income in 2004.
Hours after entering the pleas, Cunningham resigned from Congress in tears.
He could have been sentenced to 10 years in prison, but U.S. District Judge Larry Burns shortened his time because of Cunningham’s military service, age and health, Forge said. If he continues to cooperate with authorities, his sentence could be reduced further, the prosecutor said.
House Speaker and fellow Republican Dennis Hastert issued a statement after Cunningham‘s sentencing stating that he hopes the congressman’s prison term sends “a strong message” that nobody is above the law.
‘It is my hope that Congressman Cunningham will spend his incarceration thinking long and hard about how he broke the trust of the voters that elected him and those on Capitol Hill who served with him,’ Hastert said.”
REPUBLICANS TEND TO DO THE RIGHT THING IF AND WHEN THEY GET CAUGHT…
1. CONGRESSMAN CUNNINGHAM PLEAD GUILTY
Report Post »2. HE RESIGNED FROM OFFICE
3. SPEAKER HASTERT ADMONISHED HIS FELLOW REPUBLICAN – WHAT ARE SPEAKER POLOSI’S COMMENTS?
4. CUNNINGHAM IS SERVING TIME
DagneyT
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:22pmThey have been putting this hearing off for 3 years! They had to hurry up and do it now, before the GOP takes over in January! He’ll get a tap on the wrist, where we’d be in jail………..which is where he should be put! As Glenn said, he “knows where the bodies are buried”!
Report Post »spendthrift
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:21pmHow can you break the laws that you wrote? Just ask Charlie……
Report Post »Ronko
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:20pmI hope the Repubs impeach him in January
Report Post »MozarkDawg
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 7:04pm>I hope the Repubs impeach him in January
Impeachment is not an option for MOC’s — if they don’t vote to expell him now, there is no doing so at a later date.
Report Post »MidAmerican
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:17pmCensure. Loss of certain privileges. I think its the most he will get. I do hope there are criminal
Report Post »investigations in the works however.
whitaker
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 11:21pmWho is going to investigate the DoJ? Did you forget who runs it?
Report Post »powhatan
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:15pmWell, if I had less character..I’d just jump to the other side and do whatever I want…lie cheat steal….no problem…until I get to the other side…………………then…yikes
Report Post »Gita
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:11pmNow let’s see the honor and integrity that comes out of the house ethics committee when it comes to good ole Mr. Rangel. Move along there is no honor or integrity here!
Report Post »Sweet Sister
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:11pmAmen!
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:10pmRankle is garbage. Everyone knows why he held office so long…look at his district — also garbage.
Report Post »Fear The Voices
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 7:57pmAnd obviously pretty damned stupid too! They probably all voted for Cuomo for governor too….. IDIOTS!
Report Post »SnapTie
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:08pmWe keep him and show the American citizens what corruption the Democrats are.
Report Post »Morningcrapper
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:06pmNot Guilty of anything. Charlie you da man………… What did you expect something else
Report Post »Muslim in Chief
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:05pmIf this were you, or I. They would re-open Alcatraz for us. But this is a Minion of OBOT, nothing will happen. Pelosi claims she drained the swamp, only to have two snakes slither out. Now she will let them go right back into the swamp…..
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:05pmSee, kids? You too can be a crook and get off with a slap on the wrist. Just vote Democrat-Socialist.
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:12pmonly until they have all of their commies in place — then ya get taken out to the back, and shot.
Report Post »neversaynever
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:04pmThis cant be right. If it is it’s horribly offensive to Bonner and Rangel.
Report Post »SHOESHINEBOY
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:02pmcensure
Definition
cen·sure[ sénshər ]NOUN
1. disapproval: severe criticism
2. official condemnation: official expression of disapproval or condemnation, e.g. of a legislator by the legislature
TRANSITIVE VERB
cen·sured past and past participle
cen·sur·ing present participle
cen·sures 3rd person present singular
1. criticize somebody or something: to make a formal, often public statement of disapproval of somebody or something
2. condemn somebody or something officially: to express official disapproval or condemnation of somebody or something, e.g. by a vote of a legislature
[ 14th century. < Latin censura "judgment" < censere "appraise" ]
If it was a republican …..they would have expelled….but nooo..We loves you Commie Chuckiee…your a good Comrade Chuckiee…
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:07pmDope. Expulsion was not an option. Even though Rangel deserves it even repubes understand that.
Report Post »StMichelob
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:47pmNo, I can remember all the Republicans in the past 5 or so years who were crooks, and even some who weren’t, either resigning (through party preassure) or not running for re-election, or being put in jail. This is the clearest example of hypocricy by the left, as I remember dems-example: Jefferson of Louisiana, who is STILL in office…just exusing away or poo-pooing it away, or both. This is the first time a dem will receive ANY punishment for a crime, and I look at it as at least a good start.
Semper Fi and baby-steps for cleaning the house!
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:53pmdon’t worry the Republicans will let this drop
Report Post »too many in Congress are Corrupted and know that
anytime they could be next. Again the Tax payers loose
to the Scum insider Lawyers in our govt.
phoenix110
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 3:11pm@Exrepublisheep:
Dope, expulsion IS an option and SHOULD be exercised. If he were not a public official he would be brought up on charges, convicted and put in jail. IMO a criminal case SHOULD be brought against him, but THAT will not happen.
As to your name; you are even more a sheep than you think you were previously. Someone smart enough to realize that Republicans aren‘t the answer but too stupid to realize that the democrats aren’t either is a sheep. Someone who jumps from one party to the other on a whim, justified or not, without realizing that the only thing that deserves his or her loyalty and full faith is THE PEOPLE, yes, we Americans, not some misguided, fraud filled, idiologically broken party, is a blind fool.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:01pmHe’s a big man…a big Senator. He will get no punishment. You and I try that and we are toast.
Report Post »SaintMichael
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:05pmHe is a congressmen, not a senator.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:09pmHe needs to be kicked out of office; and yes this will never happen in any way. They will at most just give him a stern repremand that amounts to no more than a “bad boy…” while the parent wags their finger at them.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:11pmSorry for the misstatement. Congressman is right but same difference.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:12pmYou’re probably right, but he just got a pretty good slapping around. Maybe if we’re lucky after what happened on Nov 2 they might feel compelled to punish him more severely than they would have in the past.
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:18pmWake up NY. You really just reelected this crook? I am utterly suprised at how dumb the inner urban centers in this country are?
HKS
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:31pmWhat a joke, this show is for you, he went there poor and now he’s rich. It’s not like he just started stealing, he’s been doing it for forty years. His commie buds take care of each other.
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:32pmHe‘ll get a slap on the wrist and it’ll be business as usual for Mr. Rangel and the rest of the “good ole boys”. But if you or I did what Mr. Rangel has been CONVICTED of, we would get the proverbial “boom” lowered on us. Aren’t double-standards wonderful(if you are a Washington elite)!!!!
Report Post »taskent12
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:32pmHe a member of the House of Representatives which makes him a Congressman – members of the other House of Congress, i.e. the Senate are also “Congressmen”.
Report Post »ME
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:36pmRemember in many areas it’s not the content of your character it the color of your skin that matters. Harlem gets what they deserve.
Report Post »mlbinseattle
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:54pmActually, he’s a representative. Representatives and senators are all considered congressmen, and to be PC about it, congresspeople.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:57pmWhere is Rev. Sharpton when we need him? These powerful white committee members are picking on poor charlie. I can’t believe Al would miss a golden opportunity to claim racism by the conservatives on the panel. Oh right, not much of a story since there won’t be any serious punishment handed out to poor Charlie.
Report Post »RKade
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:00pmHe should be removed in disgrace. BTW is he paying the back taxes plus penalty and interest?
Report Post »G.W. Dobbs
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:44pmWhere did Rangle get TWO MILLION DOLLARS to pay Attorneys? Like all the other
Report Post »Elected, he is a Multimillionaire off of Inside Deals, Closed Door Payoffs and THEFT.
poverty.sucks
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:52pmPrevious cases involving lawmakers who were enriched by activities they undertook that were judged to be in violation of the chamber’s rules usually
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:53pm@Beckofile.. apparently you need to visit Chicago.. the bigger the city the bigger the corruption.. in Chicago what Rangle did is considered the way it works here..
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:57pmPrevious cases involving lawmakers who were enriched by activities they undertook that were judged to be in violation of the chamber‘s rules usually resign and don’t seek re-election.
Report Post »101
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 3:03pm“DOG & PONY SHOW” bring in the clowns
Report Post »stanishr
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 4:15pmCensure, sure, we’re draining the swamp, just make sure the alligators, mud and poop stay where they are, they’ll get used to the smell.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 4:37pmRangel should be expelled from the House – and this is the opinion of a Democrat!!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-m2
Report Post »Max jones
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 4:56pmI believe they will eject him. Bonner’s condemnation sounded much too passionate and sincere, to be ignored.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 5:46pmCongressman, Senator……….he’s still a friggin crook.
Report Post »MozarkDawg
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 6:58pm>He is a congressmen, not a senator.
He’s a representative to the House — senators are congressmen, too. We have a bi-cameral Congress.
Report Post »Compete or Lose
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 7:12pm.
.
.
This is a sad day, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee (the committee that writes the internal revenue code) Fails to report income for 17 years and claims his defense is that he is sloppy and incompetant……So does that make the new defense for people before the US Tax Court……. sorry I was “Sloppy and incompetant”….no…that is not a get ot jail free card for any one else.
.
.
.
The worse part of this whole 2 year scam of , ….“Draining the swamp”……according to NANCY PELOSI, is the Charlie Ragel by his actions and pleas has done more to continue the stereotype that BLACKS are LAZY, INCOMPETANT, SLOPPY, and ARROGANT or worse…….
CHARLIE–you are a DISGRACE, where are your guts???
What kind of CRAP was it to walk out of the hearing????
When you stand in the well og the House for your CENSURE, you need to stand up like a MAN and announce your guilt and regret for being a BAD ROLE MODEL for young BLACK MEN!!!
This is SICKENING.
Report Post »drbage
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 7:23pm@Untameable Kate
Report Post »Given the Dems’ reaction to Nov 2–more specifically those who will still be serving after Jan 5 and how long Swamp Drainer Pelosi dragged this out, unfortunately, I think we will be treated to an impassioned Crocodile Nancy tirade defending her “good friend and colleague as an outstanding defender of the people yada yada yada…” She, Hoyer, and Clyburn will whip all the Dems into a row and get them to lower his punishment to nothing more than a “pshaw, tut-tut-tut.” Even with this cloud hanging over him, just like his predecessor-Adam Clayton Powell, the people of his district re-elected him again and again and again. Guess they both spread just enough bacon around to keep the masses quiet and satisfied.
Fear The Voices
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 8:01pmHe gets yelled at by the botox bimbo by the bay! Oh the humanity!
Report Post »Mickeyd
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 10:10pmYou’re right, polwatcher. We’d suffer far more than this for doing the same thing!
Report Post »Fletch
Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:49amand why does Bonner feel doing what is right to be “painful”???
Report Post »