Washington, Dec 3 -

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday U.S. Representative Walter B. Jones (NC-3) joined 332 of his House colleagues in voting to censure New York Democrat Congressman, and former Chairman of the House tax-writing committee, Charles B. Rangel.  Seventy-nine members of the House voted against censure.  The vote comes after the bipartisan House Ethics Committee wrapped up a two-year investigation of Mr. Rangel last week.  The Ethics Committee found Mr. Rangel guilty of 11 of 13 charges filed against him and voted to recommend that the full House censure him for his misconduct.  Mr. Rangel’s wrongdoing includes failing to pay taxes for 17 years on rental income from his Caribbean vacation villa, filing misleading financial statements, improperly seeking money from corporate interests for a college center bearing his name and setting up a campaign office in a subsidized, New York apartment designated for residential use.  As part of his censure, Rangel will be required to repay all unpaid taxes.  In the history of the House of Representatives, twenty-two members have been censured, the last occurring nearly three decades ago.  

“Mr. Rangel chose to violate the public trust, and he must face the consequences,” said Jones.