Where is the Outrage over Rangel?

It is time for the Connecticut Congressional delegation to call for the resignation or expulsion of Democrat Charles Rangel, D-NY, who has extensive ethical and legal problems, Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy said Wednesday.

“Democrats in Connecticut have been quick to judge Republican misdeeds, but the ethical train wreck known as the ‘Rangel Express,’ requires public comment from those who have received financial assistance from Rangel or who call him a colleague,” said Healy. “Charlie Rangel is symbolic of what has happened in politics – where politicians use their position to acquire great power and fortune while sticking the taxpayers with the bill.”

Rangel, the former chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has been the subject of a two-year investigation by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee for various financial irregularities, which would earn most regular people a one-way ticket to a minimum level correctional facility. Rangel has failed to report $500,000 in income, failed to pay taxes on a condominium in the Caribbean, unlawfully leased four rent-controlled apartments in Harlem - improperly using one of them as a campaign headquarters - and solicited a $1 million donation for a college program on official House stationary.

Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th, Rep. Chris Murphy , D-5th and Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd, have all received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions for Rangel’s political action committee. When Rangel’s ethic’s problems first surfaced, all three donated the funds to charity. Congressmen John Larson,D-1^st  and Rosa DeLauro, D-3^rd, serve with Rangel in the leadership ranks.

"While we appreciate the initial efforts of Murphy, Courtney and Himes to relieve themselves of these funds, it is an embarrassment that none of our Members of Congress uttered a word of concern or outrage over Rangel’s actions or his defiant words,” Healy said. “Charlie Rangel is as crooked as a dog’s hind leg, and he should be in the docket for tax fraud rather than being allowed to bargain his way out of trouble.” 

For Immediate Release

Contact: Chris Healy (860) 966-8468