Quote:
Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel is suing Speaker John Boehner and six other lawmakers, alleging problems with the House ethics investigation that led to his censure in 2010.
In a complaint filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Washington, the New York Democrat alleges "numerous, flagrant, knowing and intentional violations" of his due process rights.
Rangel, 82, seeks to overturn the censure and says in the court papers that he suffers "irreparable harm that cannot be compensated by money damages."
Rangel's office referred questions to his attorney, Jay Goldberg, who did not return a phone call seeking comment.
The lawsuit names Boehner; Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. who was chairwoman of the House ethics committee at the time of the censure; and other committee members and staff. The congressman alleges that evidence was withheld by the committee staff.
In December 2010, the House voted 333-79 to censure Rangel for multiple ethical misdeeds — including failing to pay taxes for 17 years on rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic and soliciting donations from companies with business before the Ways and Means Committee while he was chairman. The donations were going to a center being built in Rangel's honor at the City College of New York.
Obviously taking responsibility for your actions is so passé.