Rangel Says His Rent-Stabilized Apartment Office Wasn't Wanted Anyway

Representative Charles Rangel discussed his decision to give up one of his 3-4 rent-stabilized apartments by saying his re-election campaign-- which used a one-bedroom apartment with a monthly rent of $630 at Lenox Terrace in Harlem--"had decided they were going to move anyway" since the lease is up in October. Last week, the NY Times revealed that Rangel rented four apartments at rent-stabilized rates (one apartment is made up of two units) raising questions about whether Rangel was implicitly receiving a gift from the landlord, a large real estate developer.

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By Jen Chung in News on July 16, 2008 9:05 AM

Comments [rss]

Rfive

Clive Davis. EXACTLY!!!

nik13

Rangel's car lease is more expensive than his apt. Taxpayers pay $774 for his Cadillac DeVille. Still a bargain when compared to Congressman Gregory Meeks' LS460 at $998 per month.( Anthony Weiner drives a cheap $219 Chevy Impala).

Rangel has nothing to worry. His Congressional seat is a lifelong sinecure. He can rob & steal at will.

Art Stewel

This is more than just 'a free gift.' Rangel and the real estate concern both knew that four units could not ever be considered a single primary residence under the RSL. It is more than legal fiction - it is legal impossibility. So they both acted together and knowingly violated the rent stabilization law. His consituents might not see the big deal, but the legal minds in the Southern District, or Congressional watchdogs will.

Excellent reporting by the NY Times should be giving Charlie nightmares.

longacre

This guy makes Clay Davis from The Wire look honest.

babyhitler

"I didn't want a Cheap Apartment anyway" -hahahaha. It's like saying I don't want free money.

fugothamist

"He is as crooked as his constituents are stupid"

exactly

UnrepentantFenian

So now where will he use as a base of operations to promote "The Rangel Center"?

This guy is a scumbag, but I guarantee he gets re-elected. He is as crooked as his constituents are stupid.

zodak

what else is this arrogant a-hole hiding?

ericf

OMG!!! a one-bedroom for $630?

I'm gonna be sick.

Spirit of 76

Wow, his position shifts more than sand at Coney Island. If this was the case, why didn't he just say so in the first place instead of yelling how it's nobody's business? But like I wrote before, his constituents will forgive him anything. It's not often Harlem can have one of the most powerful members of congress representing them. If they kick him out, they lose all that power.