A House ethics subcommittee announced today that it found Congressman Charles Rangel guilty of all 13 ethics violations against him.
It took the bipartisan panel of four Democrats and four Republicans less than 24 hours to come to the decision.
Rangel made a brief, but dramatic, appearance before the committee yesterday. He argued for a postponement so he could set up a legal defense fund, and said he was not given enough time to prepare.
"I am so proud of my record in the Congress. I love this Congress. I love this country. I think I am entitled to more," pled Rangel.
After the committee's chairwoman, California Democrat Zoe Lofgren, reminded Rangel that he had months to prepare, Rangel headed for the exit.
The committee began deliberations after agreeing that the facts in the case were so clear that witnesses were not necessary.
Rangel is accused of using a rent-stabilized apartment for campaign activities, failing to pay taxes on rental property in the Dominican Republic, and improperly using congressional letterhead to raise funds for a City University center to be built in his name.
Rangel is not expected to be expelled from Congress, but could receive a censure or reprimand.
Given that there were no material facts in dispute, this seems to be the only conclusion the committee could have possibly reached.
Good on them.
