Jeb Bradley Asks Carol Shea-Porter to Return Rangel Money

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JEB BRADLEY ASKS CAROL SHEA-PORTER TO RETURN RANGEL MONEY

Shea-Porter Took $14,000 From Embroiled Congressman Who Faces Unpaid Back Taxes, 3 House Ethics Inquiries

1st District Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter has taken, in less than one year, $14,000 from embroiled New York Congressman Charles Rangel for her re-election effort and now Jeb Bradley is calling on her to return the tainted cash and ask her top donor to step down as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

"Congresswoman Shea-Porter ran on a platform of bringing an open and ethical process to the public," said Bradley. "Now, we see her largest donor under fire with three ethics inquiries on the table and unpaid taxes on luxury vacation property. Carol Shea-Porter needs to show the voters of New Hampshire she puts them before the money from a questionable New York politician."

Following a series of questionable activity by Congressman Rangel, even the liberal leaning New York Times today in an editorial has asked him to step down as a Committee Chairman.

"Mounting embarrassment for taxpayers and Congress makes it imperative that Representative Charles Rangel step aside as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee while his ethical problems are investigated." New York Times Editorial, 9/15/08

The US House Ethics Committee is currently looking at Rangel for misuse of Congressional stationary for non-official use, improperly accepting cut rent from a campaign donor on four New York City Apartments & improperly using one as a campaign office, and failure to report or pay taxes on at least $75,000 in rental income from a luxury vacation home in the Dominican Republic. Recent news reports have also blasted the Congressman for sponsoring an earmark to fund a library dedicated to himself.

In August, Carol Shea-Porter voted against censuring Rangel when the vote was brought to the House floor. (Roll Call 546)

"Charlie Rangel has admitted to not declaring his rental income to the IRS, utilized a rent stabilized apartment for a campaign office that may have violated the law and ethics requirements, and is the subject of three Ethics Committee inquiries. Now, the New York Times is calling for Rangel's resignation as chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. The time has come for Carol Shea-Porter to return Rangel's money, ask him to step aside his Chairmanship and put ethics first," Bradley said.

Since Sept of 2007, Carol Shea- Porter has accepted $14,000 from Congressman Rangel, making Rangel tied with Nancy Pelosi as Shea-Porter's largest donor.

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