Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has been found guilty by a House ethics subcommittee on 11 of 13 ethics charges brought against him.
Rangel was charged with various acts of financial and fundraising malfeasance, but apparently forgot to set some of the loot aside to pay for lawyers. He departed the ethics hearing less than an hour after it began, claiming he could not attend without counsel, which he could not afford to pay for. He spent almost four million dollars winning a 78% victory to retain his seat. His victory was celebrated with a lavish champagne party.
Rangel will now be referred to the full Ethics Committee, which the Associated Press says could punish him with “a House vote deploring Rangel's conduct, a fine and denial of privileges.” So far, there is little official talk of denying America his magisterial leadership in the House. A breathless nation waits for the evening newscasts to figure out how they can avoid mentioning which party Rangel belongs to.
