Rangel Walks Out of Ethics Trial

Rep. Charlie Rangel tried to get a delay in his ethics trial. Something about being denied a lawyer. Didn’t work. The House panel said tough luck — the trial proceeds.

Politico:

Complaining bitterly that he was denied the right to have an attorney present for his ethics trial, an emotional Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) threatened to walk out of the proceedings unless he was given more time to hire counsel.

Rangel began today’s hearing without an attorney present, and he quickly asked for a continuation of his trial. The venerable New York Democrat said the ethics committee had denied his request in a recent letter, but the panel went into private session after two separate appeals by Rangel.

Rangel was visibly emotional in his opening speech, and his threat to walk out offered a jarring moment to a trial that is expected to last all week. READ MORE...