Representative Rangel Gives His Marriage a Shot

Now that Representative Charles Rangel has gotten himself into a income tax fix, the tabloids are keeping a closer eye on his goings on. Both the Post and Daily News report that he's stopped proceedings to divorce his wife of 42 years Alma.

The News reports that Rangel "made the initial divorce filing" in February 2007 and "Alma Rangel filed documents specifying her husband's net worth." The Post adds that the "case had been scheduled for jury selection Wednesday," but that happened to be the day Rangel had his press conference. His wife's lawyer asked to release the jury panel.

However, Rangel told the News, "We've never been separated, we're not separated now and there is no divorce." And Alma Rangel told the Post today, 'I don't know anything about that. My husband is here and we still live together. We have two children and three grandchildren."

Now, we don't want to read anything into this...but when the NY Times reported that Rangel failed to report the $75,000 of rental income, his lawyer "said the congressman did not realize he had to declare the money as income, and was unaware of the semiannual payments from the resort because his wife, Alma, handled the family finances and conferred with their accountant, John Viardi, on tax matters." Hmm.