Rangel trial looms after talks fail

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Politico:

Thursday’s unexpected announcement that the House ethics committee would begin a trial on ethics charges leveled against Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) came after a secret, months-long effort to settle the case fell apart, according to several sources close to the situation.

The negotiations were designed to avoid the spectacle of a trial by his peers for Rangel, but talks apparently broke down when the parties in the discussions – Republicans and Democrats on the ethics committee, and Rangel himself – couldn’t reach an agreement.

Due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, no one involved wanted to openly discuss the matter, but the conditions for a settlement were said to include a public apology by Rangel for his ethical transgressions in exchange for lesser sanctions and an end to the case.

Republican aides said the Harlem congressman faces the possibility of a formal reprimand by the House or possibly a censure motion, although Democrats said it was premature to discuss what punishment would be recommended by the ethics committee.

One source close to Rangel suggested a compromise still may be reached next week before the opening steps in the trial get under way.

Confidential negotiations to settle the case between Rangel and Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Jo Bonner (R-Ala.), the chairwoman and ranking member of the ethics committee, began in earnest in May, and continued into this week, according to the sources.

But Rangel, Lofgren and Bonner, were unable to finalize a deal. Rangel was seen in an animated discussion with Lofgren on the House floor Thursday morning, just hours before the ethics committee announced it would create an “adjudicatory committee” to evaluate the charges against Rangel.

A four-member investigative subcommittee of the ethics panel has been investigating Rangel since 2008 and has found “substantial reason to believe” the New York Democrat violated House rules.

Several House insiders suggested Rangel wanted to string out the talks to prevent the ethics committee from taking action on his case before the August recess. The House will adjourn after next week until Sept. 13, a day before Rangel’s primary.

“He didn’t want to do a deal, that’s for sure,” said a House official briefed on the talks with Rangel and his attorneys.
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Sorry, Charlie, now you're going to court.

[Casino67]

Are these things covered by CSPAN? Would be interesting TV.

[NCTexan]

Sorry, Charlie, now you're going to court.

Sorry Charlie!

 

[cudjo]

I would love to see him pay the way he should for all of his illegal activities, but don't really figure much will happen to him, he has too much dirt on the others