Andy Barr Questions Chandler's Silence on Rangel's Unethical Practices

Press Release

Repeats Call for Chandler to Return Donations

Today, as a growing number of candidates and members of Congress, including several Democrats, called for the resignation of Congressman Charlie Rangel, Andy Barr repeated his call for Ben Chandler to return or donate to charity the $10,000 in political donations he has received from Rangel and to condemn Rangel's unethical conduct.

"It is clear that Charlie Rangel has acted in a manner that is unacceptable for a public servant," said Andy Barr. "I am hopeful that our Congressman will do the right thing, and return or donate to charity the political contributions he has received from Congressman Rangel, especially since he serves on the very committee charged with investigating Mr. Rangel's unethical activity."

In the past few weeks, the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, of which Chandler is a member, has been investigating Mr. Rangel's behavior, and has charged him with 13 ethics violations. The investigation found a "pattern of indifference or disregard for the laws, rules and regulations of the United States and the House of Representatives."

Ben Chandler is the second-highest ranking Democrat on the House committee investigating Rangel, but Chandler is the only member of the committee who has not participated in either the investigation or the adjudication.

Ben Chandler has accepted $10,000 in political donations from Charlie Rangel, which he has repeatedly refused to return or donate to charity.

"Congressman Chandler's refusal to return Charlie Rangel's tainted money is shameful," said John Connell, campaign manager for Andy Barr. "It presents a clear conflict of interest since it has prevented Chandler from carrying out his duties on the Ethics Committee in an impartial manner."

Source