Ethics trial begins for New York congressman Rangel

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

A rare ethics trial is under way for veteran Rep. Charles Rangel, who has been accused of engaging in financial and fundraising conduct that broke House rules.

The New Yorker, who formerly headed the House Ways and Means Committee, is facing a panel of four Democrats and four Republicans who are sitting as a jury to determine whether he violated the institution’s standards of conduct.

Today’s proceeding was only the second such trial since the House substantially revamped its ethics procedures some two decades ago. If Rangel is found to have broken the rules, the ethics panel would set a punishment, or recommend one to the full House. That could involve a floor vote denouncing the congressman’s conduct.