Rangel Claims He Didn’t Read the Memo on Corporate Sponsors for Caribbean Trip

Rangel’s name was included as a “cc” on several letters to corporations asking donations for the trips, and in one instance, one of his staffers wrote him a memo about HSBC’s decision to bow out of its sponsorship for the 2008 junket because of the scrutiny in the press. In the memo, the aide suggested different ways the office or Rangel could convince HSBC to remain a sponsor, such as contacting the New York’s comptroller general or even New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Rangel has said he was unaware of the corporate sponsors, didn’t know his name was on the solicitation letters and never read the memo his staff wrote to him.

Read more: (Susan Crabtree, “Pelosi’s ‘Campaign Mode’ Pledge Could Play Major Role in Rep. Rangel’s Future,” The Hill, 2/28/10)