Connolly Coughs Up Rangel Money

What started as a political charge has turned into a boon for the Boys & Girls Club in Dale City.

Republican congressional candidate Keith Fimian on Wednesday challenged Rep. Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly to return $7,000 he received in 2008 from fellow Democratic congressman Charles Rangel.

The New York lawmaker this week temporarily stepped down from his chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee while he’s being investigated on ethics charges.

“Gerry Connolly should immediately return all funds he accepted from Rangel,” Fimian said in a prepared statement, adding that other congressmen had done so.

Rather than give the money back, though, Connolly, who represents much of Prince William County, had another idea.

He toured the Hylton Boys & Girls Club in Dale City last month and learned that the charity needed about $9,000 to buy new computers, Connolly spokesman George Burke said Friday.

So the congressman is taking the $7,000 and adding another $2,000 from his campaign fund to pay for about 10 computers.

Read more: (Jonathan Hunley, “Rep.’s Money Goes to Charity,” News & Messenger, 03/06/10)