Politics

Rangel Walks Out of Ethics Trial

Rep. Charlie Rangel tried to get a delay in his ethics trial. Something about being denied a lawyer. Didn’t work. The House panel said tough luck — the trial proceeds.

Politico:

Complaining bitterly that he was denied the right to have an attorney present for his ethics trial, an emotional Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) threatened to walk out of the proceedings unless he was given more time to hire counsel.

Rangel began today’s hearing without an attorney present, and he quickly asked for a continuation of his trial. The venerable New York Democrat said the ethics committee had denied his request in a recent letter, but the panel went into private session after two separate appeals by Rangel.

Rangel was visibly emotional in his opening speech, and his threat to walk out offered a jarring moment to a trial that is expected to last all week.

Update: The threatened walk out became an actual walk out when the hearing resumed without Rangel:

Complaining bitterly that he was denied the right to have an attorney present, an emotional Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) walked out of his highly publicized public ethics trial Monday morning, an unexpected twist in the ethics inquiry has tarnished Rangel’s four-decade congressional career.

The ethics panel, after an unexpected 40-minute private session, rejected Rangel’s request to delay the trial and went ahead anyway. The witness chair where Rangel was supposed to sit was empty, a dramatic sign of Rangel’s refusal to participate.

With Rangel gone – foregoing the 10 hours he was granted to defend himself – the committee moved very quickly through the case and spent just 80 minutes reviewing the allegations before retiring to decide whether it would approve a “motion for summary judgment.”

If that motion is approved the Rangel trial is esentially over, just several hours after beginning.

Comments (236)

  • bulletboy
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:03am

    Hey grease-ball….don’t drop the soap!

    Report Post »  
  • bullcrapbuster
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:03am

    50 years of public service my a@$#

    Report Post » bullcrapbuster  
    • Diamondback
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:17am

      They didn’t designate it as “[honorable] public service.” Dishonorable public service is still public service. See, you have to listen close to what they actually say.

      Report Post »  
  • Sinista Mace
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:02am

    GET OUT YOU FAT THIEVING SLOB.
    He looks like a fat deep fried Colonel Sanders.

    V-MAN MACE  
    • scuba13
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:33pm

      I hope he hummed the national anthem on his way out like they did in the scene from animal house

      Report Post » scuba13  
  • infidelamerican
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:00am

    He IS a lawyer! If he doesnt know what the evidence against him by now, after 2 years, then he is a pretty lousy lawyer and an idiot. I agree with VGOVA3, let the moron go in front of a Rep. majority and justice will be serve and drag that social justice commie Maxine Waters with you Charlie boy.

    Report Post »  
  • patriot4evah
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:59am

    How long has he known about this? My goodness, this has been in the news for a very long time. He has not had time to find a lawyer?,,, that’s crazy talk.

    Report Post »  
  • Derfel Cadarn
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:59am

    If Charlie walks out he should immediately be arrested,the same as if you or I did it. He is in no position to set conditions. We are supposedly all equal under the law,we will see just how equal that is .

    Report Post »  
  • independentvoteril
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:58am

    maybe he should have spent more time on his legal matters than on his getting re-elected.. He has been using our government as a JOKE .. he said he was going to represent himself.. what he found he’s in MUCH deeper than he thought? I am sick of playing by the rules of the crooks the average person WOULD NOT get this benefit of the doubt. they would have taken his speech as a admission of guilt.. and NO MORE CLOSED DOORS open the dam things up we pay YOU.. we want to hear what you have to say.. ENOUGH.. These ELITES are NOT above the laws the rest of us must follow.. I spent 1 year going down to my state IRS on my EX HUSBANDS unpaid taxes.. my current husband and I had to lose a day of work a month.. we gave them information on my ex, which included pictures of him in a neighborhood newspaper with an alderman stating he was the owner and they couldn’t get him..he NEVER had to appear cause he put everything in his wives name and worked behind the scenes..but they could find me cause I was doing everything the right way.. and didn’t have an alderman protecting me.. I did clear my name but in doing so I also SOMEHOW cleared his to so he no longer owed the money.. the system is corrupt all the way to the top and Rangle is shoving it in our faces…telling us we are the serfs..

    Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • drbage
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:41pm

      Bet he didn’t believe that his friend, Pope Pelosi, would ever let this happen. Maybe he hopes that she will give him a papal dispensation.

      Report Post »  
  • dablooz
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:58am

    Sounds like perjury to me. He has no idea what’s in the cahrges, yet he blew 2 million in the last 2 years on legal counsel. What’s more frustrating is listening to the idiots on the “panel”. How do these folks ever get elected? Even more, how do they get re-elected?????

    Report Post »  
  • 5
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:58am

    This

    “Azz Clown (Chuck) is as Guilty as Bill Clinton getting B.J. in the White House”

    and saying He didn’t.

    Report Post »  
  • Mirimichi
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:58am

    What a steamy POS.

    Report Post »  
  • SgtGGP
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:57am

    Now, listen. This is not a difficult thing to do. It happens in jobs and marriages all over the world…………..Rangel, your fired! Security will stay with you as you clean out your desk and then they will hands on escort you out of the building. Or, we can water board him and get the truth that way. Either way, To Pardon Persistent Evil Is To Perpetuate It.

    Report Post » SgtGGP  
    • drbage
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:39pm

      Where is Donald Trump when you need him?

      Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:28pm

      Why not do what was done to Blagojavich, remove him from office, and replace him!
      Never mind, … he was Governor.

      How about giving Rangle “indefinite suspension” ?
      Nah, like MSNBC did with Olbermann, he’ll apologize to his audience that re-elected him, and then be back return to business as usual.

      Perhaps the best course of action is no action. That way, the ones who give him a pass will be exposed, then, subjected to the voice of the voter’s; In the words of our President, “Punish your enemies!”

      Report Post » spirited  
  • Diamondback
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:54am

    Who cares if he walks out? The hearings go on and he’s convicted and put in jail for his crimes.

    Big whooped e doo if he walks out.

    Report Post »  
    • standswithafist
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:22am

      will just prove he is guilty.

      Report Post » standswithafist  
    • Beckofile
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:21pm

      He walked because his lawyers quit the night before and he was dumbstruck. He does not know anything about defending himself or the Constitution. He is buying time trying to find someone else who will buy him another lawyer. He has just committed another fraud by paying the lawyers who quit with funds from an unlawfull source. Sounds like par for the coarse.

      Report Post » Beckofile  
  • EP46
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:52am

    oops sorry, we have known about this Forever…I thought Charlie knew about it too ! lol
    Would Any One believe that the little ‘speech’ he just gave was not written by a dozen lawyers? But, he does not have a lawyer. Sorry, Charlie

    Report Post »  
  • J.C. McGlynn
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:52am

    Stero-typical criminal re-action to a trial. Knew it was coming and is delaying tactic. Normal lawyer talk.

    Report Post » J.C. McGlynn  
    • Mary M. Tebbe
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:45am

      j c mcglynn: Exactly. And now the clown show begins. Let’s see how the laws get twisted now.

      Report Post » Mary M. Tebbe  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:51am

    Well, here’s an idea… Why don’t you sell one of your many properties?? You claim you can’t afford an attorney?? I say BS.

    Report Post »  
    • drbage
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:38pm

      Better yet, walk out of the hearing; board a plane; land in the Dominican Republic and just stay there.

      Report Post »  
    • American only
      Posted on November 16, 2010 at 10:35am

      Poor baby! He cannot afford an attorney?

      Neither can most poor and middle class Americans!
      Not that I believe this scoundrel! I do find this incredulous! These jack rabbits really do think we are idiots!
      Oh wait, those who voted this slime in again are the idiots! LOL! And they get poorer as he gets richer! What does it matter though as long as one of their own makes it!

      Do yall realize that many of our elected officials are lawyers? Now pause calmly and think of this.
      Wonder why the Republic is in such a state?

      No mas abogados!

      Report Post »  
  • crossdraw
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:51am

    Rangel and ethics. There’s a word for that. HMMMMM what could that word be? It describes oil/ water,etc. This rats ass needs to be in jail but that won‘t happen because HE’S BLACK. This goes for Maxine“The Illiterate”Waters as well. Wouldn’t want to be called a racist now, would we?

    Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:51am

    Charlie, pretend it’s one of your BILLS, which you had less than 72 hours to read? Why bother to read it? hahaha What a jerk. How long can he drag this out? HE’S the one who fired his lawyers? Now they go to CLOSED session. This is how crooks work in DC.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • beekeeper
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:48am

    This will not go well for him – his reality is divorced from that of the Ethics Panel and most of America…

    Report Post » beekeeper  
  • booger71
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:46am

    Rangel and ethics should not be used in same sentence

    Report Post » booger71  
  • john seven eighteen
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:46am

    Any dems who stand behind this thief and support him should be resoundingly defeated in their next elections. It’s time to put crooks like this out to pasture, no matter what party affiliation they claim!!

    Report Post » john seven eighteen  
    • infidelamerican
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:04am

      haha , the garbage trucks couldnt haul all the dead weight from Nov elections , so in ‘12 we will have to finish sucking the scum from the bottom on the pond.

      Report Post »  
  • Star Spangled
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:46am

    Wake that idiot up and put him in jail .

    Report Post » Star Spangled  
  • Barack Oburgundy
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:45am

    This slime ball has had plenty of time to arrange for counsel. I believe he has already raided his pacs of $393,000 to pay for legal counsel. Charlie Rangel has acted stupidly. We should have him up to the White House and have a few beers, then we can listen to Biden tell some more racists jokes !!! Now that will be a party!!

    Report Post » Barack Oburgundy  
    • TexasHillsPatriot
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:55am

      He should take advantage of a public defender. I’m sure the public would just love to support his defense.

      Report Post » Texas Hills Patriot  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:27pm

      I couldn‘t believe how upset he seemed that he couldn’t have a FREE lawyer, poor Charlie. He had no time to get a discounted lawyer, POOR CHARLIE. Scumbag.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • Beckofile
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:13pm

      Too bad Charlie you can’t pay your counsel from PAC money…..Illegal? This is why the lawyers did not show.

      Report Post » Beckofile  
    • Noonien_Soong
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 3:27pm

      One problem for Charlie is most of his money is tied up in an offshore and near untouchable account

      Report Post » Noonien_Soong  
  • PAAM
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:45am

    no wonder nothing gets done – don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Congress persons

    Report Post »  
    • White Devil
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:32pm

      Where in the hell does he get off dictating anything? Can you imagine you or I in a court of law saying that you were leaving? Also interrupting the judges? Racist elitist pig. That goes to all you who voted for this piece of crap as well.

      Report Post » White Devil  
    • orkydorky
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:22pm

      Stupidity at the highest level; They‘re trying to save his ass before the Republican’s take over and he’s asking for a delay, the same typical idiot he’s always been. If they sweep it under the rug, then the Republicans should demand a criminal or civil prosecution and trial! These morons policing themselves is just a joke!

      Report Post » orkydorky  
  • Fletch
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:42am

    Clearly Charlie was the perfect sucessor to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

    shame on the people of Harlem for re-electing him

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Clayton_Powell,_Jr

    Report Post » Fletch  
    • SHANK
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:54am

      Yeah, kinda reminds me of coleman young who was mayor of detroit when my family fled to the suburburbs… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleman_Young

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:39pm

      Once a thief, always a thief. He feels he is above the law, it doesn’t apply to him. And they voted this sicko back into office knowing he is skrewing them too? Do wonders never cease?

      Report Post »  
  • Fletch
    Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:39am

    What a set of stones

    Report Post » Fletch  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:47am

      He said he wanted to represent himself? Like he can’t afford a lawyer with all the money he STOLE? haha

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • vg0va3
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:51am

      Charlie,

      They can’t give you time. After January the Democrats will not be able to sweep under the rug. They are trying to help.

      If you delay, the Republicans will demand actual justice.

      Just sit down and watch Democrat justice applied. You will not have to give up your FIFTY YEAR CAREER in Congress when finished.They have your back.

      Report Post »  
    • Peters
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:55am

      He raises the argument that, “Fifty years of public service has to suffer,” because of haste?

      Fifty years of public service has to suffer because of your actions Mr. Rangel; it’s not because of any hasty conclusions. We’ve had fifty years to make these conclusions . . . as you stated.

       
    • MAULEMALL
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 10:56am

      These are the people running your government….

      How low have we come to have this trash as representation??

      Report Post » MAULEMALL  
    • beekeeper
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:00am

      Rep. Rangel has spent nearly $2M so far on his defense/defer of these matters. They really should have brought him to trial two years ago, when the offenses were noted and the investigation started in ernest. Remember, Rangel was being dogged by the papers in NYC, and the Congress grudgingly decided to investigate the issues AFTER Rangel himself called for the investigations!

      That is one thing Rangel & Waters share – an absolute belief that they did nothing wrong, despite their admission that nearly every charge is accurate.

      Report Post » beekeeper  
    • Strictlybusiness
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:18am

      It just COULD NOT happen to a better person than this crook. Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha,…LOL That IS SOME FUNNY $Tuff…..WOW …… YEA 50 years of being a crook and NOW I’M BROKE,,,,,Boo Hoo Hoo , Waaaaaaaaaaa. :>)

      Report Post » Strictlybusiness  
    • tobywil2
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:32am

      Many of these charges clearly violate criminal law. Does anyone know why he hasn’t faced criminal charges?

      His premise is false and the only arguments he can use are fear mongering, emotion, sarcasm, ridicule, attacking the messenger and misrepresentation of the facts (lying). Those who expect to reap huge profits from our misery caused by tyranny are experts at these tactics. And Mr. Rangel is clearly a member of the club.

      But don’t blame Mr. Rangel, blame the educational system that produces citizens that vote for such a corrupt politician! After all, he just took advantage of by negligence.

      Report Post » tobywil2  
    • yellerhammer
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:50am

      It’s amazing to me these people make $175,000 dollars a year base pay,they go to Washington and get rich off the backs of people whose average income is $50,000 a year and I for one would like to know is why. I believe the main focus of the TEA party should be for all government pay not be more than at least Twice the national average for any one other than the president and that doesn’t ever get into the perks that are worth as much as their pay. The president‘s pay shouldn’t be any more than 3 times national average, plus term limits with no exceptions.

      Report Post »  
    • slickmeister
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 11:56am

      A fitting end to a long and corrupt career. Buh-bye Charlie! LOL!

      Report Post » slickmeister  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:17pm

      @Equaljustice

      There is a saying that only a fool represents himself. Good luck Rangel.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • CatB
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:36pm

      So what if he walks out … try him in absentia .. .he doesn’t have to be there to be found guilty … the guy is a crook.

      Report Post »  
    • sawman
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:55pm

      Ole Charlie didn’t think it would turn out this way. He hoped for typical good ole boy treatment. I guess now, he is crapping bricks.

      Report Post »  
    • HKS
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 12:59pm

      He’s just kicking the can down the road, how much time could he have left?

      Report Post » HKS  
    • Big Bob
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:00pm

      more time to hire counsel hell the whole house is full of them all he would have had to do is drop a dime on the floor he could have kicked one.

      Report Post »  
    • NFYRx
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:29pm

      Now that is a patriotic tie!

      Report Post »  
    • Marcobob69
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:30pm

      Let the games begin! Wait until you see what kind of lame stream media circus this will turn into! This is reality TV at it’s….FINEST?? “I don’t have legal counsel, so I’ll have to excuse myself”; CLASSIC!!! Somehow, he will manage to……WRANGLE….. his way out of this!!!

      Report Post »  
    • CultureWarriors
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 1:53pm

      He should not be allowed to vote on anything until this matter is settled.

      Our latest … Obama : The NOT Quite Ready For Primetime President
      It will available in a few minutes …
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_CsEgIfUX0

      Report Post » CultureWarriors  
    • Beckofile
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:10pm

      His Counsel quit last night due to the fact that they found out they were being paid fraudulently from a PAC fund and not himself or his campaign money??? Just thought the correct reason for him showing up and crying about not having counsel was not that commitee did not allow him to be represented but that his counsel does not want to be implicated in the next round of fraud charges???

      Report Post » Beckofile  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:35pm

      First he wanted to represent himself – now he wants a lawyer – this guy need to stop delaying his ethics trial and wasting the taxpayers money – and get on with it. I can not continue to support a Democrat who is pulling this nonsense on the House! http://maboulette.wordspress.com

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • gman46
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 2:40pm

      Ya, I thought he decided to defend himself?!

      Report Post » JohnGalt  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 3:41pm

      Poor boy.

      Report Post »  
    • southsik
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 4:16pm

      Tell me, how the hell can ANYONE just get up and walk out of a trial, hearing or legal proceeding if you have agreed or have been required by LAW to comply with, in this country. I cant do it nor can anyone else. There should be an additional penalty put on him for what he did. Screw this sht

      Report Post » southsik  
    • mizflame98
      Posted on November 15, 2010 at 5:08pm

      What a drama queen. He must be taking lessons from Barney Frank.

      Report Post » mizflame98  
    • YOOPER69
      Posted on November 17, 2010 at 10:32am

      He needs to go home and shut-up never to be heard from again.

      Report Post »  

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