Rangel used $1,540 in campaign funds to pay parking tickets

December 31, 10:39 AMNY Government ExaminerMichael A. Harris

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FILE PHOTO: MICHAEL A. HARRIS/THE EXAMINER

Imagine making a campaign contribution to a candidate, only to find that he was using that money not to buy signs, buttons or office space, but rather to pay parking or traffic tickets.  Well there's no need to imagine it.  

Embattled Rep. Charles Rangel (D - New York), who is fighting off a House ethics committee investigation of his taxes, campaign contributions and four rent-stabilized apartments in New York, including using one of them as his campaign headquarters was cited for multiple parking violations in his Chrysler P.T. Cruiser in and around the District of Columbia since March 2007  it was reported.  $1,540 in payments for the tickets were made from Rangel's campaign committee and his PAC.

A Rangel spokesman told the Daily News that there was "nothing unethical" about using donated money to pay the tickets. The spokesman noted that Congress members routinely use campaign money to pay for parking and traffic violations.

It was not immediately clear whether Rangel's Cadillac, which is paid for using taxpayer dollars has been summonsed for any parking or traffic infractions here in New York where Rangel uses that vehicle, however as Rangel's district is in Harlem, it is clear that none of those tickets were issued while campaigning.

How would you feel if you gave money to a candidate for political office and found out that it was being used to pay his/her parking and traffic violations? Please send me your thoughts!