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Rangel: 'I have no real chance of fighting back'
The Hill ^

Posted on 11/15/2010 1:47:44 PM PST by Sub-Driver

Rangel: 'I have no real chance of fighting back' By Jordan Fabian - 11/15/10 03:51 PM ET

Embattled Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) struck a defeated tone Monday, hours after he walked out of his own ethics trial.

Rangel reiterated his claim that his due process rights had been violated over his lack of legal representation at the trial that began Monday morning.

"I hope that my colleagues in Congress, friends, constituents and anyone paying attention will consider my statement and how the committee has been unfair to me," he said in a prepared statement. "They can do what they will with me because they have the power and I have no real chance of fighting back."

The longtime lawmaker made waves when he threatened to leave the hearing after tussling with ethics committee chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) over the absence of his legal representation.

Rangel's attorneys parted ways with him in October, and the congressman said he could not afford to hire new representation after spending almost $2 million in legal fees over the past two years.

The adjudicatory subcommittee is meeting behind closed doors Monday afternoon to determine if Rangel committed the 13 counts of House ethics violations that are alleged against him.

If he is found guilty of the violations, he could face a full House vote on his expulsion or a lesser punishment. Rangel said he is now looking past the trial.

"Now, I am going forward — not backwards — to do the job I was elected to do. That is to serve my district and to serve my country, as I have tried to do for the past 50 years," he said. "In the end, I hope that I would be judged by my entire record that determines that I have been a credit to the House and to my family, friend and supporters who have entrusted me with this honorable duty."


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; Government
KEYWORDS: charlesrangel; charlierangel; cultureofcorruption; newyork; racecard; rangel; victimology
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To: Sub-Driver

That’s because the arrogant demigod is guilty, guilty and guilty.


61 posted on 11/15/2010 5:56:07 PM PST by dools0007world
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To: justiceseeker93

“all he needs to do is resign from the House, so that the committee will no longer have jurisdiction over him”

That idea would also work, but I’d put that as my number three choice. My number two choice is, he’s found guilty, stripped of everything, and expelled. My number one is, he dies during the trial, preferably by his own hand.


62 posted on 11/15/2010 6:01:26 PM PST by SunkenCiv (The 2nd Amendment follows right behind the 1st because some people are hard of hearing.)
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To: Sub-Driver

I agree we should help Rangel delay until next year when the new republican majority takes office, then we can insure not only a conviction but an expulsion.

I honestly think that is why liberals won’t give their friend Rangel more time, they don’t want a Republican controlled House to decide his fate.

lol


63 posted on 11/15/2010 6:02:29 PM PST by Monorprise
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To: SunkenCiv; NYer; Lauren BaRecall; SeekAndFind; ExTexasRedhead; rmlew; All
From Rangel’s selfish point of view, his best bet may be to resign from the House. Then he could leave with his legacy intact, untarnished by any negative finding from the Ethics Committee. Plus, he would fade out of the limelight unscathed by any formal findings of wrongdoing by Congress and would almost certainly not be charged criminally. Then he could practically pick his own successor to his congressional seat.
64 posted on 11/15/2010 6:43:43 PM PST by justiceseeker93
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To: justiceseeker93

He might as well. At this point he’s just another piece of dirty worn out furniture.


65 posted on 11/15/2010 6:46:40 PM PST by ROCKLOBSTER (Celebrate: Republicans freed the slaves Month.)
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To: Monorprise; All
I agree we should help Rangel delay until next year when the new Republican majority takes office...

Don't forget that Rangel holds the ultimate trump card in this whole thing. When and if he resigns from the House, the ethics investigation is over, and it would be hard to see him being prosecuted on criminal charges, given his age and his popularity in his district.

66 posted on 11/15/2010 6:49:44 PM PST by justiceseeker93
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To: Sub-Driver

Poor Chuckie. He’s got such a raw deal.

/sarc


67 posted on 11/15/2010 6:53:32 PM PST by Tzimisce (No thanks. We have enough government already. - The Tick)
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To: Tzimisce

Can we as American Citizens file a lawsuit and press charges of taxpayer fraud against this thief? He belongs in JAIL for crying out loud! The only reason they won’t is because of his color? Common’ I m sick of the race card crap! He BROKE THE LAW and should be treated like ANYBODY else. Oh, oh I forgot! There are 2 standards of the law...those for the little guy and then those for the elitist, DEMOCRATS who lie, cheat AND steal their way up the ladder of POLITICAL HEIRCHY! Man, am I sick of it - I hope when they go to redistrict NY that they take Harlem and split it up so bad, he couldn’t get anybody to vote him back in in 2012.


68 posted on 11/15/2010 7:07:21 PM PST by princess leah
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To: justiceseeker93

Rangel’s doing his “victim act“........old reliable for hyphenates in hot water.


69 posted on 11/15/2010 7:12:44 PM PST by Liz (Marxist O/Care provides two brands of toothpaste---mint and plain.)
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To: Sub-Driver

Go to jail, Charlie. Go directly to jail. Do not pass “Go.” Do not collect $2,000,000.


70 posted on 11/15/2010 7:14:46 PM PST by stboz
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To: Windflier
He probably got the beginnings of some excellent representation, but my suspicion is that they "walked" because he racked up an unpaid $2,000,000.00 bill with them.

Another article here:

Rangel ethics case in hands of jury of lawmakers

There's a few interesting paragraphs in it:


Several members of the panel criticized Rangel's lawyers for leaving the case just weeks before the hearing.

Vermont Democratic Rep. Peter Welch said that no law firm should be "taking the money ... and kicking their client by the side of the road."

Rangel's former law firm of Zuckerman Spaeder disputed his assertion that he was abandoned.

"This law firm did not seek to terminate the relationship and explored every alternative to remain as his counsel consistent with House ethics rules prohibiting members from accepting pro bono legal services," the firm said. "Out of respect for Congressman Rangel and the House ethics committee, we will not comment further at this time."


Looks like Charlie kicked them to the curb, probably because they recommended that he throw himself to the mercy of the House.
71 posted on 11/15/2010 7:27:05 PM PST by justlurking (The only remedy for a bad guy with a gun is a good WOMAN (Sgt. Kimberly Munley) with a gun)
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To: justiceseeker93

Its equally unlikely that the same district would would elect a republic in his place, and almost as unlikely that the democrats would bother convicting one of their own.

It is unfortunate that this trial must follow rather then precede an election.

Still if he is to be tried at all I’d like to wait and have him tried by republicans rather then his democrat friends.

I think if he was going to resign rather then hold on to power till the very end he would have done it already before the election.


72 posted on 11/15/2010 7:44:29 PM PST by Monorprise
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To: Sub-Driver

73 posted on 11/15/2010 8:02:14 PM PST by Kozak ("It's not an Election it's a Restraining Order" .....PJ O'Rourke)
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To: justiceseeker93

Thanks for the ping!


74 posted on 11/15/2010 8:06:22 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: justiceseeker93

If he would resign from the House..then what? And at 80 years old how long could he keep this show moving if he doesn’t resign?


75 posted on 11/15/2010 10:07:14 PM PST by caww
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tear jerker. zzzzzzzzz.


76 posted on 11/15/2010 10:41:06 PM PST by NoRedTape
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To: Sub-Driver

My defense is that I did it.


77 posted on 11/16/2010 2:22:12 AM PST by stevem
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To: justiceseeker93
it would be hard to see him being prosecuted on criminal charges, given his age and his popularity in his district.

If this were the average Joe, would popularity among his peers have any sway against criminal charges?
78 posted on 11/16/2010 3:03:06 AM PST by presently no screen name ("Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.." Mark 7:13)
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To: justiceseeker93

Maybe, but it sounds optimistic. If the Demwits actually clear his ass or give him a slap on the wrist, what does it cost them, really? And this is the easy one — Maxine Waters is next, right?


79 posted on 11/16/2010 3:32:59 AM PST by SunkenCiv (The 2nd Amendment follows right behind the 1st because some people are hard of hearing.)
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To: justiceseeker93
It will be a long time before I forget Bill Kristol's exhortation in early August 2010 that Republicans should Just Shut Up about Charlie Rangel.

the Weekly Standard’s Bill Kristol said on “Fox News Sunday” when asked what Republicans should do about Rangel...The idea that republicans should go around throwing stones at Charlie Rangel is just foolish on their part.”

80 posted on 11/16/2010 5:38:31 AM PST by MaggieCarta (What are we here for but to provide sport for our neighbors, and to laugh at them in our turn?Austen)
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