Here are the issues ethic investigators have probed with Rangel:

- His failure to pay taxes on a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic.

- His use of Congressional stationary to ask for donations for a school of public service in his name at City College of New York. Rangel did not name the school.

- His failure to report 0,000 in assets on his now-amended financial disclosure forms.

- His use of four, rent-controlled apartments below market rates in Harlem.

- His storage of a broken-down, unregistered Mercedes-Benz in a House parking garage. House rules require all vehicles parked in such garages be registered and operable.

Rangel had been Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee until he resigned in March. The Ethics Committee slapped the New York Democrat on the wrist for allowing a firm to pay for his travel to the Caribbean. The Ethics Committee cleared the trip but later indicated that it was wrong for Rangel to travel on the corporate dime.

Although Rangel’s lawyers have been meeting with Ethics Committee staff, it’s possible that no “deal” could be cut until the charges against Rangel are announced. Furthermore, any such agreement would have to be signed off on by the adjudicatory subcommittee, the full Ethics Committee and possibly the entire House.

On Tuesday, Rangel described the ethics probe as a “nightmare.” But he has repeatedly said he is looking forward to the chance to defend himself.

Meantime, Rangel’s inquiry comes as the House Ethics Committee is reportedly nearing the end of a separate inquiry into Rangel’s fellow member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). The Ethics Committee has conducted an investigation into whether Waters used her influence as a lawmaker to help direct federal bailout dollars to OneUnited, a black-owned bank in Los Angeles. Waters formerly owned stock in OneUnited and her husband served on the bank’s board.

Waters was observed leaving the Ethics Committee office Wednesday night.

http://congress.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/07/29/pocket-guide-to-rangel%E2%80%99s-appearance-before-special-ethics-panel-thursday/

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