Rangel seeking reprimand, not censure

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., is lobbying fellow representatives to reprimand rather than censure him for ethical violations, Rangel associates said

Rangel, 80, who may face censure in front of the full House as early as this week, argues his ethical violations don't rise to the level of a censure -- a move just below expulsion -- as he tries to convince his colleagues that the less-serious punishment of a reprimand is more appropriate, The New York Times reported Monday.

Rangel distributed a 10-point chart to members in which he said he didn't take bribes or otherwise achieve personal financial gain and his violations did not involve sexual misconduct, the Times said. He also asked Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct chairwoman, for time to plead his case on the House floor, people close to Rangel said.

An adjudicatory subcommittee of the ethics panel found Rangel guilty of 11 counts of misconduct. The subcommittee found that he dishonored the House by his failure to pay some taxes and report personal income and by improper solicitation of charitable donations. The panel voted 9-1 to recommend formal censure to the full House.