Crickets- Paul Hodes Keeps Mum on Rangel Cash

Paul Hodes Keeps Mum On Rangel Cash, Even As Dem Colleagues Move To Disavow Disgraced Congressman

MANCHESTER, NH – Paul Hodes’ silence has been deafening since his political patron, disgraced New York Congressman Charlie Rangel, was charged with a slew of congressional ethics violations last week. While several of Hodes’ Democrat colleagues in the House have gotten rid of Rangel’s money or called for him to resign, Hodes has been conspicuously silent on his friend Charlie Rangel. Meanwhile, $17,000 in Rangel donations continue to burn a hole in Hodes’ pocket.

Since Rangel was reprimanded earlier this year, an estimated $588,000 in Rangel-tainted contributions have been returned or donated to charity. Even New Hampshire Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter has shed her Rangel cash.

Ayotte for Senate Communications Director Jeff Grappone released the following statement on this growing controversy:

“Paul Hodes is part of a shrinking number of House Democrats who are hanging on to Charlie Rangel’s dirty money. While Hodes has remained silent on Rangel, several of his colleagues have ditched Rangel’s contributions or called on him to resign. Apparently Paul Hodes sees redeeming qualities in Charlie Rangel that scads of his fellow House Dems, including Carol Shea-Porter, cannot. Regardless, Paul Hodes needs to remove the cloud that hangs over his campaign by immediately returning every penny of Charlie Rangel’s tainted donations.”