SubscribeRangel To Leave 1 Of His 4 Stabilized Apts
From the New York Daily News:
Ha, I beat ya to it! Rangel evicts himself from rent-stabilized apartment
Ha, I beat ya to it! Rangel evicts himself from rent-stabilized apartment
BY LEO STANDORA
Tuesday, July 15th 2008
Facing possible federal investigations, Rep. Charles Rangel said Monday he’ll evict himself from one of four dirt-cheap, rent-stabilized apartments he’s had for more than a decade.
Rangel spokesman Emile Milne confirmed his boss will give up one of his Lenox Terrace apartments, now used as an office in Harlem, but couldn’t say when the move will come.
Only last week the powerful and popular congressman appeared intent on staying put despite a storm of controversy, saying he didn’t see "anything unfair" about his situation in the W. 135th St. building.
Rent-stabilized apartments must be used as primary residences under state and city law.
Rangel’s announcement yesterday came as the National Legal and Policy Center, a Washington watchdog group, filed a complaint against him with the Federal Election Commission. Rangel, whose disclosure records show he’s worth as much as $1.2 million, paid a total rent of $3,894 a month for the four apartments in the 1,700-unit luxury development last year.
The current market rate for similar apartments in the building would run from $7,465 to $8,125 a month all told.
The policy center claims in its complaint that the years of low rent represented an illegal corporate campaign contribution from the building owner, the Olnick Organization.
If the FEC agrees, Rangel likely will be forced to pay back any rent break he got, and possibly could be hit with a big fine. He also could face an internal investigation by the bipartisan House ethics committee.
Besides the rent breaks, Rangel’s campaign committees have accepted $4,500 in campaign contributions from Lenox Terrace owner Sylvia Olnick since 2004.
The other three apartments have been combined into a penthouse suite.
You can’t expect Mr. Rangel to give that up.
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6 Responses to “Rangel To Leave 1 Of His 4 Stabilized Apts”
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July 15th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Once again, I must point out that if he were to combine the three apartments into one suite, the rent for all three would be above the $2000 maximum allowed for rent stabilization. Since Chuck Rangle (D) makes over $175,000 per year (with salary and investments) and his rent would be over $2000 per month, he should lose his rent stabilization according to the NYC Rent Guidelines Board. It appears that the owner of the building would be gifting Rangle (D) were the rent not destabilized and allowed to float to market rates. I hope that the Times continues to hold Rangle (D) to accountability in light of his admittance of wrongdoing.
July 15th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I know that when they say, “Rep. Charles Rangle” they mean REPRESENTATIVE but whenever I see “Rep.” there my first reaction is to think Republican.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
You are so right, Arctain. In NYC, rent controlled and rent stabilized apartments are like the holy grail to apartment seekers. I’ve been reading the various articles online about this and quotes from people saying, “I don’t think it’s so bad” and “We know Charlie, we love him.” Good grief.
As yet there has been no statement from the Rent Board, and why not? Rangel claims the apts were combined into one by a former tenant, so it’s not his problem. But then the question is exactly as you say: The guidelines say apartments which rent for over $2000 a month are automatically out of rent control. So, OK, what’s the problem? The law for one should be the law for all. He owes major back rent to a landlord he’s done a lot of favors for in the legislature. If he doesn’t pay it, he should be censured in the Congress, and pursued by the Rent Board. And what about Governor Paterson (how many girlfriends on the NYState payroll?) having a 2 bedroom apartment for $1200?
July 15th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
oki2,
Yes, notice there is no (D-N.Y.) behind his name as there would surely be an (R-N.Y.) if he was a republican.
July 15th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
AMAZING…
And this unethical Castro Fan is saying things like this…
“Let’s send a message to the president his days of doing us harm are very, very limited,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat.”
Just like Schumer, who just cost taxpayers billions by scaring Americans, creating a mindless run, the Democrats think they can simply use the code name for political bigotry to get away from their inept negligence.
Toss out some bashing of the President, who has higher approval numbers then Congress, and Democrats who have been exposed as malfeasant once again, feel that their supporters will be reminded of the Partisan Hatred and forget about their failure.
Nancy Pelosi did it recently in an interview when she was questioned about the rising cost of Oil, and has done nothing but block efforts to make energy more affordable, she referenced the name ‘Bush’ as many times as her little mind could manage in a few lines of Partisan diatribe, trying to blame everyone else for the problems.
It is the overt problem for Americans, as the Democrat Party is simply too juvenile to be responsible, to actually focus on the challenges the USA faces.
And they often only offer massive tax increases, which makes matters far worse for everyone.
So far, energy has skyrocketed, and the economy has struggled, since the Democrat take over of the House in 2006.
Americans should be reminded of this every minute, of every day.
Losing at the Market?
Thank Nancy and Harry…
July 16th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Oki 2, when I see Rep. in front of his name I think of “Repulsive”. Good catch, TNP.