Rangel Seeking Deal To Avoid Expulsion

Representative Charles Rangel's lawyers are trying to determine if a deal can be reached to settle ethics charges against him and avoid a trial that could hurt his Democratic Party just before the November election, party aides said on Saturday.

The aides said Rangel's lawyers are talking with the House of Representatives ethics committee, which announced charges against the 80-year-old congressman on Thursday after an earlier breakdown in negotiations.

The charges against Rangel are set to be disclosed next week in preparation for a public trial before the committee in September.

A possible settlement could include Rangel admitting to at least some charges in return for a public admonishment or censure rather than expulsion from Congress, aides said.

"But I don't know if they will reach an agreement. So far, he has been very unwilling," one aide said of the defiant Rangel, who has long insisted he has done nothing wrong.

The aide said pressure will likely mount on Rangel to avoid a trial when House Democrats return to work on Monday.

"Someone will talk to Charlie, but we don't know if he will listen," the aide said.

Said another aide: "It could get ugly. A lot of the old timers want to stick by him, but a lot of younger members are sick of this."

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