Rangel Found Guilty

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Walking out of the hearing did little to protect Charlie Rangel from a guilty verdict for breaking House ethics rules. He was found guilty of breaking 11 congressional rules involving his personal finances and his fundraising efforts.

The verdict was reached unanimously, and now the punishment needs to be decided upon. The potential punishments include a formal reprimand or censure. Expulsion is another possible penalty. Democrats see expulsion as being highly unlikely. I believe it is the only punishment fitting for this dirtbag.

Rangel's statement regarding the decision: "How can anyone have confidence in the decision of the Ethics Subcommittee when I was deprived of due process rights, right to counsel and was not even in the room? I can only hope that the full Committee will treat me more fairly, and take into account my entire 40 years of service to the Congress."

His infractions occurred while he served as the ranking Democrat, and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He resigned as committee chairman in the spring when he was found guilty of a more minor infraction related to accepting corporate-financed travel.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Rep. Charlie Rangel found guilty of 11 ethics violations - Washington Post