By Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Rep. Charles Rangel is resorting to a colorful chart in a last-ditch effort to convince colleagues in the House to reduce his punishment for ethics violations.
The chart, which Rangel staffers plan to distribute among House members in the coming days, lists 10 reasons why Rangel believes he should not be censured — the punishment recommended by the House Ethics Committee after it found Rangel guilty of 11 of 13 alleged ethical violations earlier this month.
"Rangel has not been convicted of a crime," reads the chart, which explains that, in the past, members have been reprimanded, not censured, for failing to accurately disclose income, gifts or donations.
Other points note that "Rep. Rangel's violations were not fraudulent," "Rep. Rangel did not take bribes," and that "Rep. Rangel's violations did not involve sexual misconducts."
The chart also includes historical examples of Congressmen who were reprimanded.
The move comes as Rangel is reportedly asking House leadership for one last opportunity to plead his case before a final vote on his punishment.
The last time a member of the House was censured was back in 1983, when Massachusetts Rep. Gerry Studds and Illinois Rep. Daniel Crane were found guilty of improper sexual misconduct with House pages.
A Rangel spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment about when Rangel's address might take place.
