By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Embattled Harlem Congressman Charlie Rangel broke the rules when he accepted a corporate-sponsored trip to the Caribbean, a House Ethics panel found on Thursday.
The panel admonished the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which writes the nation's tax laws, for taking the trips in both 2007 and 2008, but did not take any other official action.
"I don't want to be critical of the committee, but common sense dictates that members of Congress should not be held responsible for what could be the wrongdoing or mistakes or errors of staff," Rangel said in a televised press conference.
The Caribbean trips were underwritten by sponsors including Verizon and Pfizer, but the committee said it did not find proof that Rangel himself knew of the corporate sponsorships.
The panel is still investigating Rangel for more serious claims including improper fundraising, failure to pay taxes on his vacation home in the Dominican Republic and his use of four rent-stabilized apartments in Manhattan.
Rangel is facing a Democratic challenge this election season from Harlem businessman Vincent Morgan, and possiby State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV.
