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PrintDecember 5, 2008
Yet another Rangel scandal
The scandal of the week for the nation's chief tax writer concerns money paid to his son far in excess of reasonable charges for work on his campaign. Apparently it is completely legal, but Charlie Rangel has managed to recycle $80k in campaign donations to a member of his family who performed little work.
Luke Rosiack and Glenn Thrush of Politico report:
Between 2004 and 2007, Rep. Charles Rangel steered nearly $80,000 in campaign cash to an Internet company run by his son - paying lavishly for a pair of political Web sites so poorly designed an expert estimated one should have cost no more than $100 to create.
Rangel has paid more for this minimal web effort than any other member of Congress. Imagine if a Republican committee head had:
- Failed to pay taxes on rental income from vacation property overseas;
- Apparently illegally occupied multiple rent-controlled apartments in New York (denying access to them to poor people);
- Used House stationery to raise money for a nonprofit organization bearing his name.
- Enriched his family in a sweetheart deal using money from donors.
Do you suppose this might be getting a little bit more publicity?
