Posted on 11/30/2008 2:36:31 PM PST by Fox_Mulder77
High-ranking members of Congress were flown to a lush Caribbean resort this month for a three-day conference planned and paid for by several of the country's most powerful corporations - a violation of federal ethics rules, critics say.
Six members of the Congressional Black Caucus attended the 13th annual Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference in sun-drenched St. Maarten, including embattled Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel and New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne.
Three New York City officials attended, including Comptroller William Thompson and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr., as well as Gov. Paterson, who was the keynote speaker at a luncheon on the second day of the gathering.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
“The Human Fund”
You know if there are any freebies, Queen Sheila is gonna get hers.
Some animals are more equal than others.
Rangel`s NY Carib News Junket Now Under Scrutiny?
NY POST, Wednesday, September 17 2008
New York Carib News,` a newspaper owned by Jamaicans, Karl and Faye Rodney.
The next NY Carib News conference is set for the Netherlands Antilles in November and Faye Rodney, Carib News president, recently was quoted as stating that `18 members of the Congressional Black Caucus have already indicated they will attend. And while Rangel is being scrutinized for the trips, he is not alone in taking part in the junkets.
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The IRS says the biggest potential for IRS fraud are tax-exempt non-profits doing deals with other tax-exempt non-profits——all posing as do-gooder “foundations” and “charities.” The NY Post reports at least three tax-exempt entities connected to Rangel‘s finances:
(1) The Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service (Rangel co-opted $2 million via Capitol Hill allocations, plus another $700,000 from Dept of HUD),
(2) The NY Carib News Foundation (organized financing for Rangel’s island-hopping luxe Caribbean trips),
(3) The Ann S. Kheel Charitable Trust-—aids disadvantaged neighborhoods (gave $440,000 to The Charles B. Rangel Center) the largest single donation in the charity’s 4-year history. Theodore Kheel, Esq, VP of Grupo Punta Cana Operating Company, (mortgage holder on Rangel’s luxury villa), donated $17,000 to Rangel’s congressional campaigns and $52,000 to a Rangel-run political action committee since 1990, federal filings show. (Ann Kheel is his late wife).
The tax-exempt “Carib News Foundation” subsidized Rangel’s trips to luxury island resorts-—perfect places to hide money from the taxman.
The list of 15 countries “encouraging money laundering” published by a special investigative committee set up by G-7 was leaked to the French daily Le Monde circa 2000 included the “black list” ——Panama, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, the Cook Islands, Dominica, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Panama, the Philippines, St. Kitts, Israel, and the Grenadines. Suspected tax havens include Cyprus, Gibraltar, Monaco, and Antigua.
Suspected tax fraud and tax law violations can be reported to IRS TOLL-FREE 1-800-829-0433 (You may remain anonymous).
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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment
Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
As you all can clearly see, Rangel isn’t worried about any of it! Big deal if Nancy doesn’t like it!!! What is she going to do?!
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ANOTHER POWER ‘TRIP’ BY RANGEL
‘DEFIED’ RULE ON LOBBY $$ FOR VACATION
Rangel still accepted a trip worth thousands of dollars to the Sandals Grande Resort and Spa in Antigua and Barbuda last November, after the new rules had passed.
AT&T, HSBC, Sandals and Pfizer were listed as “sponsors” of the conference, which was organized by a group called NY Carib News Foundation. In his 2007 federal filing on the trip, Rangel listed the Carib News Foundation, but failed to disclose that the trip was financed by corporations.
At this year’s conference, set to take place at the posh Sonesta Maho Beach Resort in St. Maarten in November, Rangel is the main attraction, according to the conference’s Web site - but the congressman has yet to seek written permission for the junket from the Ethics Committee.
Since 1999, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has been among the keynote speakers at the annual Caribbean business conference, organized by Karl Rodney, a Jamaica-born businessman and founder of Carib News, a weekly newspaper aimed at Caribbean immigrants.
Rangel is not alone in his failure to properly disclose the trips under the new rules. The Post found that other Democratic lawmakers who were wined and dined at the conference last November had yet to disclose the junket on their federal filings for 2007.
The trips usually last about four days, including food and lodging at five-star resorts, and in some cases golf courses and spas, throughout the Caribbean.
In the past, Rodney has bragged on his weekly radio program that the annual trips are very effective ways for lobbyists to gain access to Democratic legislators. The trips include dances and dinners for the delegates, as well as access to golf and spa facilities.
Rodney said that despite the language on the programs, the Carib News Foundation is “the sole sponsor” of the conference. He said that corporations donate to the group’s “general finance pool,” and that pool is used for a number of initiatives, including the conferences. He denied there was any direct funding. Rodney added that his company is registered as a not-for-profit charity.
Rodney admitted that lobbyists attend the conferences but denied that “they are working as lobbyists when they are there.”
Rangel is the JERK who writes the TAX LAWS for the REST OF US!!!
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06/16/2008
Rangel, a Harlem Democrat who chairs the powerful tax-writing committee, is one of numerous Americans who sold property in the current housing slump. Rangel reported selling a condo unit in Sunny Isles, Fla., for an amount between $100,001 and $250,000. Rangel also took a four day trip to Antigua paid for by the New York Carib News Foundation.
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House financial disclosure forms
Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., chairman, House Ways and Means Committee.
Earned Income: $165,200.
Honoraria, all donated to charity: None.
Major assets: Time share in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, $250,000-$500,000. Alliance Bernstein Muni Index Fund, $100,000-$250,000. A collection of other investment funds with a total value of between $165,000 and $550,000.
Major sources of unearned income: Dividends on funds, $6,510-$17,800.
Major liabilities: None.
Gifts: None.
I think we can all start calling Charlie Rangel...Shake down Rangel (just like Jesse Jackson). What is the difference in this compared to the indicted/convicted Republicans who did the same things?!
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Carib News Foundation, should be listed on the Members travel forms. This would include Macy’s, Pfizer, AT&T, Citibank, IBM, American Airlines, Golden Krust Franchises, Jerk Qzine, Panama City, and the Republic of Panama.
An October 6, 2006 working copy of the agenda lists AT&T /Macy’s sponsoring the sessions on “Unlocking New Regional Opportunities and Expanding Business Horizons.” AT&T was also listed for a session on “Technology – The Engine of Invention”. Pfizer was listed for sessions on “Health Care – a strong investment and growth center for the economy,” and “Health Care Regional Initiatives.” Citibank was listed for the session on “Regional Economic Collaboration,” and the session on Entrepreneurship – The Next Level.”
Who do you think runs those things now?!
The IRS is full of clueless affirmative action hires who know nothing but how to punch a keyboard. I deal with them almost weekly! Stupid, rude and arrogant doesn't begin to describe them.
As far as 'House Ethics'? That is laughable. It's right under their noses and they couldn't care less.
*Reference*
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