(Washington, DC) -- New York Congressman Charles Rangel faces 13 charges in a House ethics investigation. After a roughly two year probe, the charges are related to discrepancies over taxes, fundraising and financial disclosure. Democrat Rangel also faces allegations of misusing some
rent-controlled apartments and House parking privileges. Members of a House ethics panel held a public meeting to outline the formal charges against Rangel. Unless Rangel and the ethics panel agree to a settlement deal, a special trial will be held in the fall. Rangel chose not to make a statement at the meeting. Rangel's congressional career has spanned four decades. He recently stepped down as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. The 80-year old Rangel, a decorated Korean War veteran, has denied wrongdoing and is running for re-election.
If a House ethics trial is held in the fall, it'll be the first such trial since 2002. At that time, Ohio Democrat James Traficant was expelled from Congress after being convicted in a criminal court of accepting bribes and filing false tax returns. Some Democrats are concerned about the timing of a Rangel trial in the House, only weeks before critical mid-term congressional elections in November. The full ethics case against Congressman Rangel can be found online at ethics.house.gov
