WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Congress has increased the pressure on Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., to divulge his tax returns, Washington officials indicated.
The investigations of Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, have increased as questionable financial dealings and possible ethical problems continue to be disclosed, The Hill reported Wednesday.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, said Rangel's amended House financial disclosure papers showing previously omitted assets fly in the face of congressional ethics. Issa said there could be further ethics violations if Rangel is shown to have acted similarly regarding tax return filing.
Rangel is accused of property tax violations and other actions under investigation. He denies any wrongdoing and says the problems are due to carelessness.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said if criminal charges are filed against Rangel, or if the ethics committee finds him guilty, she will relieve him of his chairmanship.
