By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Harlem Rep. Charlie Rangel defended himself against charges of ethics violations in a tirade delivered on the House floor Tuesday.
Rangel, who was recently charged by a House committee with 13 ethics violations including tax evasion, said that he had no intention of resigning and claimed that he had not engaged in any criminal activity.
"Are you going to expel me from this body?" the former chairman of the Ways and Means Committee demanded, reminding Democratic members of the House that he was "the guy that was raising money in Republican districts to get you here."
He apologized for any embarrassment the charges had cause and copped to having made some "stupid" mistakes, but denied that there was any criminal wrongdoing or hint of corruption.
The defiant congressman made it clear that he did not expect any problems with reelection in Harlem this fall, saying that the House would have to file a recommendation that he be expelled if they wanted to get rid of him, "'cuz you're not going to do it in my district."
Rangel also said that he deserved and demanded the "right to be heard" and complained that a trial date had not even been set yet, sticking him with legal fees he could not afford as the case continued to drag on.
"I'm not asking for leniency, I'm asking for exposure of the facts," Rangel said.
