By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — President Obama thinks it's time for Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel to go.
Speaking hours after the troubled Democrat got a slap on the wrist for ethics violations, Obama told CBS Evening News Rangel was "at the end of his career."
"I think Charlie Rangel served a very long time and served his constituents very well. But these allegations are very troubling," he said.
"He's somebody who's at the end of his career. Eighty years old. I'm sure that what he wants is to be able to end his career with dignity. And my hope is that it happens.”
Obama's comments came after six House Democrats called for their colleague's resignation, according to the New York Times.
Rangel was charged with 13 counts of ethics violations, including using his rent-controlled apartment as a campaign office, failing to report assets and improper use of his office to solicit donations for a CUNY center named for him.
In a statement to the ethics committee, Rangel strongly denied the accusations.
The House ethics panel recommended only a formal reprimand, the weakest punishment available. Their proposal was criticized by government watchdog groups.
"The substantial number of violations against Congressman Rangel make a reprimand totally inappropriate," Melanie Sloan, the director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told the New York Post.
