Congress, Criminal law, Media, Politics, Society

Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel “Amends” Financial Disclosure Form to More Than Double His Reported Income

225px-Charlie_Rangel,_official_109th_Congress_photoWays and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel has played a large role in tax policy — and advocated increasing taxes to pay for the massive spending of this Congress. He is now accused of underreporting his own income by a shocking degree. Republicans have complained that the media and blogs have been relatively muted in covering the story.

Critics seem to have a case that the response to the controversy has been mild. Sen. Ted Stevens was criminally charged for a failure to disclose a far less serious amount of income and bloggers relished the charges.

In this case, Rangel “amended” his 2007 financial disclosure form by more than a half of millions dollars — a figure that may be as high as $780,000 given the broad ranges allowed by Congress in reporting. He previously reported his income at between $516,015 and $1.316 million. when it was really between $1.028 million and $2.495 million.

Rangel is already under investigation by the ethics committee, but his voluntary amendment could be used as defense against any serious punishment.

Previously, Rangel said that he would amend his reporting but never indicated that the error was this massive, here. For example, in 2004 he listed $4,000-$10,000 in outside income, but he now estimated his outside income as between $118,000 and $1.04 million.

There remains the potential for criminal charges in the case — though the voluntary disclosure will help his position.

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18 thoughts on “Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel “Amends” Financial Disclosure Form to More Than Double His Reported Income”

  1. A beer for BIL’s gun?
    The sight would inspire a need
    Oceans could not quench.

    But then a surprise!
    Gun lovers rally, a route
    For the anti-gun lobby.

    BIL’s gun is acclaimed!
    See the vid – Oscar worthy.
    All rejoice with Irish Red.

  3. fms,

    You are in need of help. Call your local 911 and ask them to come and get you. You are definitely a threat to yourself if you found this. You are going down websites you have no business being. If not for yourself, for this Blawg. That is a threat to others and just give the 911 person a call and hang up. They like that.

    That WAS F***ing Hilarious. I am afraid to see where you got it from. I may need the same help.

  5. Everyone,

    I don’t think we’re thinking about this enough:

    What kind of beer?
    How long do we have to watch Buddha dance to get it?
    Is the beer cold\cellar temp\or room temp?
    Could we agree to watch a pre-recorded (and censored) version of the dance in exchange for a lighter beer (say a Pilsner, or Munich Helles)
    Ballroom, Freestyle, or Freak?
    Is there a partner?
    What kind of glass would the beer be served in?

  7. Only shotguns I.
    Not a pistol to be had.
    Happy to be here.
    ____

    I call your fat joke and raise you a dirty haiku, you jokers. 😀

  8. AY,
    I was thinking of a Deringer, not a 9mm. If that day happens, I will go right to Youtube and wait for the film to explode on the internets!

  10. ah, it is good to see that every single living politician is corrupt to the core. Throw them all out and lets start over.

    Both parties appear to be power mad and poster children for this quote:

    “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.”

    John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton

  11. Pingback: Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel “Amends” Financial … financial China

  13. rafflaw:

    You hit the nail on the head:”Buddha,
    I don’t think it is the dancing that scares us”

  14. Buddha,
    I don’t think it is the dancing that scares us! That being said, I agree with your point that the day when Cheney is charged with war crimes will be a National Holiday for me.

  15. eniobob,

    I never get to have fun any more! lol

    But point taken. You must have seen my dancing. 😀

  16. When you are taking graft it is understood how much it should be in cash. You just stuff those envelopes somewhere to look at later. I can see where he may have forgotten to disclose.

    Let me think? Ok, Chair of the WaM committee. Humm, all bills of revenue shall originate in the House…. I am still thinking….. I know, this position is actually more powerful than the Senate Appropriations Committee. Serves at the pleasure of the Speaker, yeah right, seniority serves too.

    Now where did I put that last envelope. Reminds me of a story of Andrew Mellon, Secretary of Treasury. Although rich in his own means had a Bank Vault in one of his homes in Florida that even the US Treasury was envious of. If I remember correctly he served in the Harding, Coolidge and Hoover administrations. Before Hoover (BushII) became a liability. I even think that Roosevelt tied to get him on Tax evasion.

  18. “There remains the potential for criminal charges in the case”

    oh please oh please oh please

    I’d giggle like a little school girl on the first day of spring if that weasel is charged.

    For contrast, if Cheney is charged, I’ll be dancing in the street naked passing out flowers and beer.

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