After only 30 minutes, the Charlie Rangel ethics case hit a major speed bump.
In his energetic opening statement, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) expressed his discontent with the short period of time the committee granted to create a legal defense fund, forcing the Harlem Democrat to possibly face trial without a lawyer.
“I don’t think it’s fair that I participate in any type of proceeding if in fact the political calendar will not allow you enough time to allow me to get a lawyer at this crucial point in my life,” Rangel said. “Fifty years of public service is on the line, I truly believe that I’m not being treated fairly.”
Rangel made his departure from the hearing as the ethics subcommittee trying the New York Congressman on 13 corruption allegations recessed into an executive session to consider Rangel’s request for a continuance.
“Since I don’t have counsel, I am going to have to excuse myself from these proceedings,” Rangel said.
The Adjudicatory Subcommittee reconvened after having deliberated and rejected a proposal by the disgruntled Rangel for more time to create a legal counsel fund in order to gain representation in the case. Rangel, however, did not make a return appearance before the committee.
Ethics committee attorneys moved forward by urging committee members to consider making this an especially quick verdict, motioning for a summary judgement. Blake Chisam, the committee’s head counsel, said that Rangel has not come forward to contest any of the fact being presented as evidence.
“The facts are the facts and the counts are ripe for a vote,” Chisam said.