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Rep. Charlie Rangel -- facing an Ethics Committee hearing Thursday -- and his lawyers are working directly with "career professional staff" at the Ethics Committee and not House colleagues, Capitol Hill aides said.
Those staffers are "dually appointed," meaning both political parties appointed them to the staff and many are former prosecutors. No members of Congress are officially negotiating with Rangel and his lawyers.
Aides say the work of any settlement of violations is walled off from the elected members serving on the "Standards of Official Conduct" Committee. Any deal struck on the Rangel charges would take effect only when accepted by the committee with a majority vote including both Democrats and Republicans. Aides say they would expect a unanimous vote to resolve the Rangel case -- though that is not required.
Before the report on alleged violations was filed last week, the four House members who acted as the investigative subcommittee worked as a "cell within the ethics committee." They could not share any of their information on Rangel with other Ethics Committee members. The secrecy requirements are specifically spelled out in the adopted rules of the committee. All that means is the chair and ranking member learned of the specific counts against Rangel last Thursday.
Aides say, "The ball is in Rangel's court." The New York Democrat has three options: Agree to a settlement much like a plea agreement, let it go to trial, or resign.
If Rangel were to resign -- and there is no indication he is considering that -- the Ethics Committee's work ends immediately, because its jurisdiction covers only current serving members. The case would be dead.
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Can he just resign and get this charade over with?
Will Rangle get what's behind door one, two, or three in his "Let's Make A Deal" with the ethics committee? While it is tradition that it is difficult to punish members he does need some sort of punishment for any wrong doing he may have done. The embarassment alone, for someone in Congress, should be quite an ordeal. The good people of New York can decide if they want him to continue.
I remember several years ago there was a Congressman from Pennsylvania, he looked like a melodrama villian, who had been convicted of a crime was elected despite his criminal record. (I believe that one was a Republican). So Rangel may be safe.
Resign and admit fault? NEVER! That would be the honorable thing to do....
I never suggested that he should admit fault. Resigning would be all the fault-admission necessary.
A Deal was worked out for former house leader Tom Delay. Several other's have benifitted from being offered the same kinda OUT. Nothing new here folk's, let's move on.
So when the next Republican (and it will happen) is caught in a scandal and has some sort of sweetheart deal, we will have the same attitude???
"you betchya!"
I hope it happens regardless of party, while I don't trust republicans, if they are honest and their constituants vote them in they that is legit and nothing I can do about it - not really my dog or fight. When they are dishonest, regardless of party I want them thrown out the door - it is embarassing for democrats when they have a dishonest member in congress and I'd hope it is for republicans too.
How can we forget Tom DeLay, never did like that guy. Maybe Rangel can go on Dancing with the Stars, too.
The GOP hasn't done anything about John Ensign yet and Vitter is still a senator running for re-election.
I'm not quick to judge because there are inadvertent ethics violations like using letterhead for campaigning, etc. But there's a difference between some misunderstanding in how funds can and cannot be used and blatant thngs like Rangel and DeLay did hoping no one would notice.
Personally, I think Rangel should resign but I would prefer he settle than drag this through a long hearing. Can he win re-election this fall? Who knows but that is for his voters to decide.
No awards and no rewards. Rangel, career criminal, should be outed.
As should anyone who is dishonest and unethical regardless of party.
Rangel is Black and a progressive. Do you think they are going to let them have his corruption brought out in the open.. How mush more may Rangel indicate .
Black or progressive has nothing to do with it, ethical issues know no boundaries of race or political persuasion.
He is the Black Don.
Tom Delay, Vitter who still sits in congress after paying women of the night and didn't the DC Madam come up dead?
Ensign his mistress, her husband and son worked on his payroll, his parents paid these folks. The bottom line which no one would go near and Rachael tried to is hriing the mistress's young son
Yet they still sit in congress
Let the man have his day in court or options given to the rest of these corruptionest!
If we are going to clean house it should be done on both sides of the isle
Larry Craig? still ..................................................
Mark, in FL and young people, let's either clean it up or better yet time to clean it all up!
Dear June,
Guess you can't come up with any spin for Rangel, soooo you attack the other side!!
I don't think this article had anything to do with Republicans.
Charlie is a ethics nightmare and should resign in disgrace and then be arrested for tax evasion, just like Al Capone!!!
Typical Liberal, can't see the trees because of the forest, How pathetic!!
He already admitted he is guilty, "While admitting to what he called honest mistakes in his personal finances, Mr. Rangel has said he never intentionally deceived anyone."
That like admitting you ran a red light but saying it was an honest mistake. I doubt that would fly in any court of law.
What a hoax. He clearly violated Federal Ethics Law. Others have been ousted, imprisoned and paid huge fines for such acts. He took an oath to abide by the law. He violated that oath.
I say he goes. It is time. This investigation has been going on way to long.