Rangel Convicted of 11 Ethics Violations - What Should Happen?

[Sadie]

Read Here

What do you think should happen now?

 

[MaggieD]

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What do you think should happen now?

I wasn't able to open your link. Got another one, just in case: Charles B. Rangel Convicted of 11 Ethics Violations - NYTimes.com

Here's what the House rules say:

With respect to the sanctions that the Committee may recommend, reprimand is
appropriate for serious violations, censure is appropriate for more serious
violations, and expulsion of a Member or dismissal of an officer or employee is
appropriate for the most serious violations. A recommendation of a fine is
appropriate in a case in which it is likely that the violation was committed to
secure a personal financial benefit; and a recommendation of a denial or
limitation of a right, power, privilege, or immunity of a Member is appropriate
when the violation bears upon the exercise or holding of such right, power,
privilege, or immunity.

I'll be voting a combination of censure or reprimand and a fine.

 

[mike2810]

Combination nof expulsion, loss of retirement benifits. It is time to clean up dishonest politicians.

 

[digsbe]

He should be expelled, forced to publicly apologize, pay back monetary damages, receive no retirement benefits and be dishonored. I think he should serve jail time if applicable. He is scum and should be treated as such.

 

[justabubba]

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What do you think should happen now?

expulsion


this assumes the congress is concerned about its perception and reputation as an honest body. admittedly, that's an unsound assumption

 

[Gipper]

Nothing. If you try and do the right thing, you're begging for a race card. It's not like he's a black Republican.

This is the same America that voted in a black man who was a United States Senator for about 37 minutes - a man who made Ted Kennedy look centrist.

At least if you just turn a blind eye, you knock the soapbox out from underneath Sharpton for a few weeks.

 

[justabubba]

Nothing. If you try and do the right thing, you're begging for a race card. It's not like he's a black Republican.

This is the same America that voted in a black man who was a United States Senator for about 37 minutes - a man who made Ted Kennedy look centrist.

At least if you just turn a blind eye, you knock the soapbox out from underneath Sharpton for a few weeks.

ah, the ole, play the race card before he does routine

do nothing, that will teach him

this approach should play well before the teabaggers [/s]

 

[other]

Count 1: Violating solicitation and gift ban: Soliciting donations and other things of value on behalf of the Rangel Center from persons or entities with business before him or his Ways and Means Committee.

Depending on the size of the "donations" and the specifics of the "things of value," he should be either censured or expelled.

Count 2: Violating code of ethics for government service: Accepting benefits under circumstances that could be construed as influencing the performance of his governmental duties, with respect to soliciting donations and other things of value on behalf of the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Policy at City College of New York.

Expulsion. Taking bribes in return for kickbacks, this is the antithesis of what an official should be doing.

Counts 4 and 5, merged into one count: Violating postal service laws and franking commission regulations: Mr. Rangel was accused of using his franking privileges for the benefit of a charitable organization and for solicitation of funds.

Depending on scale of the infraction, either a Reprimand or Censure.

Count 6: Violating House Office Building Commission regulations. Mr. Rangel and his staff drafted solicitation letters on House property.

Reprimand.

Count 7: Violation of the Purpose Law and the Member’s Congressional Handbook: Mr. Rangel used House employees and other official House resources for work related to the Rangel Center and used his Congress member’s allowance to pay expenses related to the Rangel Center.

Either Censure or Expulsion, depending on the amount abused.

Count 8: Violation of letterhead rule: Mr. Rangel sent letters related to the Rangel Center on House letterhead.

Reprimand.

Count 9: Violating Ethics in Government Act and House Rule 26: Mr. Rangel submitted incomplete and inaccurate financial disclosure statements, and failed to report or erroneously reported items he was required to disclose under the Ethics in Government Act from 1998 through 2008. In particular, Mr. Rangel amended certain financial disclosure statements only after a House committee began investigating his reporting of income from his Dominican villa.

Considering his position, definitely expulsion.

Count 10: Violating code of ethics for government service: Mr. Rangel leased a rent-stabilized apartment on Lenox Terrace in Harlem for residential use only, but was allowed by the landlord, a developer whom Mr. Rangel dealt with in his Congressional capacity, to use the apartment as office space for his campaign committee. The arrangement could be construed as influencing the performance of Mr. Rangel’s official duties.

Reprimand. If they have actual proof of the landlord influencing his duties, censure or expulsion.

Count 11: Violating the Code of Ethics for Government Service: Mr. Rangel violated the code by failing to report rental income on his Dominican Villa.

Expulsion. Just as in count 9.

Count 12: Violating the letter and spirit of House Rules listed above.

Reprimand, or censure if he wants to get uppity.

Count 13: Conduct reflecting discreditably on the House: Mr. Rangel’s improper solicitations and acceptance of donations for the Rangel Center; his misuse of House staff, letterhead and franking privilege for the Rangel Center solicitations; his failure to file full financial disclosure statement; his failure to report the rental income on his Dominican villa; and his use of his rent-controlled residential apartment for his campaign office all brought discredit to the House.

.

This is an incorporation of all the previous, so see above.

End result: Combination... but basically, he needs to be thrown out. He has willfully violated his duties as a public servant for personal benefit, and even attempted to cover up his actions. Oh, and of course no pension.

 

[friday]

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What do you think should happen now?

Think about it. They wrapped this trial up after the election, but before Republicans would be the ones deciding what should happen to him. How long did Scooter Libby spend in jail? That should be the minimum.

 

[Guy Incognito]

Why isn't jail time an option?

 

[Cold Highway]

Why isn't jail time an option?

Because he is a politician, hard time is only reserved for us working stiffs.

 

[TurtleDude]

This is what should happen

 

[Cold Highway]

This is what should happen

Yea, there is a little thing called splash damage and fallout, Im not far enough from NYC for that to happen.

 

[SgtRock]

Question.... Charlie violated house ethics rules and has been found guilty by this committee. Can he be prosecuted in a court of law for any of his offenses?