N.Y. delegation stands behind Rangel despite charges, Towns says

New York's congressional delegation is standing behind Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), one of its long-time members told reporters Friday.

Following what he said was a regular meeting of the delegation Friday morning, Rep. Edolphus Town (D-N.Y.) repeatedly praised Rangel for being a "war hero" and said that the lawmakers will be "supportive of the [ethics] process" as it moves forward.

"I think the New York delegation feels very supportive of Charlie Rangel, he's our leader," Towns said, later adding. "Whatever happens, I am supportive of Charlie Rangel."

The congressman's comments are a sign that Rangel's closest allies are sticking with him despite other Democrats' calls on him to resign in the wake of 13 ethics charges made against the Harlem lawmaker. 

Rangel this week acknowledged that Democrats could distance themselves from him as his ethics trial goes forth. But Towns downplayed that talk, saying "I don't think it's at that point yet."

Towns also said members did not pressure him to settle with the committee to avoid a public trial. 

A few backbench House Democrats have called on Rangel to resign, including some running in tough reelection campaigns. 

The ethics investigatory subcommittee accused Rangel Thursday of improperly using his office to solicit donations for a school of public policy in his name at the City College of New York; of using a rent-stabilized apartment in Harlem for his campaign office; of failing to report more than $600,000 on his financial disclosure report; and of failing to pay taxes on rental income from a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic.

But Towns said that Rangel has "indicated some sloppiness" but that there "is no criminality here."

"He didn't do anything that Charlie Rangel would have benefitted from," he added.

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