Target Dems Still Riding the Rangel Gravy Train

FYI, a version of the release below went out to the following districts: John Boccieri (OH-16); Debbie Halvorson (IL-11); Dan Maffei (NY-25); Eric Massa (NY-29); Michael McMahon (NY-13); Walt Minnick (ID-01); and Dan Seals (IL-10).

Boccieri Still Riding the Rangel Gravy Train

Ohio Democrat Holding onto Nearly $51,000 from Exclusive Rangel Fundraising Effort

Washington- The Charlie Rangel corruption story has broken wide open, but that hasn’t stopped John Boccieri from holding onto a big chunk of campaign contributions from an exclusive fundraising committee hosted by the crooked Harlem Democrat. Boccieri was one of ten Democrat candidates hand-selected by Rangel to take part in the Rangel Victory Fund – and it paid off to the tune of nearly $51,000, according to the Federal Elections Commission.

“House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has set up a joint fundraising entity with 10 highly touted Democrats who are challenging Republican House incumbents or are running for open seats. Rangel plans to use the proceeds from his annual birthday party at New York’s swank Tavern on the Green restaurant to benefit the new campaign committee, the Rangel Victory Fund.” (Josh Kurtz, “Rangel Fundraiser to Benefit DCCC Favorites,” Roll Call, 7/9/08)

There’s no denying that Boccieri was one of Rangel’s hand-picked favorites:

And now that Rangel’s been busted by the House Ethics Committee and has stepped down as chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Boccieri’s colleagues are turning and running. Many have already coughed up donations from their crooked colleague.

“While John Boccieri is happily sitting on his pile of tainted money, Ohio voters are left wondering why their Congressman continues to loyally side with the face of corruption in Washington,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Even Boccieri’s fellow Democrats are starting to cough up Rangel’s donations in droves, but Boccieri seems to be enjoying his status as a hand-picked recipient of dirty contributions from his crooked party boss.”

According to the FEC, Boccieri received $9,000 in donations from Rangel’s congressional campaign and political action committee in addition to $50,829 from the joint fundraising effort – putting his total Rangel contributions at a whopping $59,829. Will Boccieri continue to hold onto these tainted funds, or will he finally join his colleagues in doing the right thing by giving them up?

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