Posted on 04/22/2013 2:34:19 PM PDT by jazusamo
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) is suing Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and six other lawmakers, charging that they mishandled the Ethics investigation that led to his public censure in late 2010.
In a complaint filed Monday in federal court in Washington D.C., Rangel claims the Ethics Committee that investigated his alleged wrongdoing are guilty of "numerous flagrant, knowing and intentional violations" of his due process rights.
House members who approved his censure were "knowingly deceived" by the committee leaders – including then-Chairman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and ranking member Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) – into thinking that the probe "had been conducted in accordance with procedural rules and the protection of [Rangel's] constitutional rights," the complaint adds.
The other lawmakers named in the suit are Reps. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Michael Conaway (R-Texas), Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) and Gregg Harper (R-Mo.). Conaway and Dent were also members of the Ethics Committee behind the investigation.
Rangel was the chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee when a series of mounting ethics charges forced him to step down. He was replaced by Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), who remains the top Democrat on the panel.
A House GOP aide was quick to dismiss the suit on Monday.
"The House overwhelmingly voted to censure then-Chairman Rangel by a bipartisan vote of 333-79," the aide said. "It’s sad that he has resorted to such tactics in the face of damning evidence."
Rangel's office declined to comment, deflecting questions to the lawyers handling the case.
That suit will get tossed early on a separation of powers argument.
He acts like his pension was reduced because of this nothing punishment. The American people should be suing his ass for all the damn money he stoled from us.
I figured as much and doubt Charlie has thought it through. Thanks.
LOL! That’s a hoot:)
Old tax cheat Charlie is just like the enemy. He sees a weak leader and goes in for the kill. Boehner is a wuss and deserves whatever....
Maybe Boner should move farther to the left. That oughta fix it.
But Scotus did not when it came to Rangel's predecessor, Adam Clayton Powell, another Harlem scumbag.
Adam Clayton Powell pecked at his fellow representatives from his unassailable perch in New York's Harlem. Powell had been embroiled in controversy inside and outside Washington. When Powell failed to heed civil proceedings against him in New York, a judge held him in criminal contempt. His problems were only beginning. He won reelection in 1966 but the House of Representatives voted to exclude him.
Powell v. McCormack/Opinion of the Court.
Conclusion.
To summarize, we have determined the following: (1) This case has not been mooted by Powell's seating in the 91st Congress. (2) Although this action should be dismissed against respondent Congressmen, it mayb e sustained against their agents. (3) The 90th Congress' denial of membership to Powell cannot be treated as an expulsion. (4) We have jurisdiction over the subject matter of this controversy. (5) The case is justiciable.
Further, analysis of the 'textual commitment' under Art. I, § 5 (see Part VI, B (1)), has demonstrated that in judging the qualifications of its members Congress is limited to the standing qualifications prescribed in the Constitution. Respondents concede that Powell met these. Thus, there is no need to remand this case to determine whether he was entitled to be seated in the 90th Congress. Therefore, we hold that, since Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., was duly elected by the voters of the 18th Congressional District of New York and was not ineligible to serve under any provision of the Constitution, the House was without power to exclude him from its membership.
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Powell_v._McCormack/Opinion_of_the_Court
Now, Rangel was censured and not booted from Congress like Powell, but Scotus got away with overturning a decision by three fourths of the House of Reps.
Boehner should ( he won't ) let the federal blackrobes know ahead of time that he doesn't give a rip what the d@mn courts have to say.
Cripes.
He should be in prison.
He’s a disgrace.
Justice was not served when he was finally nailed, he came out of it with less than a slap on the wrist.
I see that Jim put it best....LOL.
Isaiah 5:20-23 NKJV
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man!
Coca-Cola all over my keyboard.
I’m gonna sue you smoothsailing.:-)
"I make laws for other people. They don't apply to ME!".
Remember how Jack Kemp was always going around saying, “my friend Charlie Rangel” ad nauseum. He also did the same for Al Gore.
People in NYC truly believe in ol’ Charlie, just like Jack Kemp did!
Maybe though..we can hope that Rangel takes Boehner down with him...a girl can dream, can’t she? LOL!!
LOL! But ain’t they a purty couple! :o)
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