WASHINGTON — Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel’s Caribbean junkets, which broke House ethics rules, featured “pulsating” night life and gorgeous surroundings — and he skipped the work sessions to goof off, official documents reviewed by The Post reveal.
The documents — buried in the 2,000-page appendix to the House Ethics Committee’s report on the junkets — provide an inside look at a corporate-paid schmooze fest.
“The Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference offers you a fine opportunity to combine business with pleasure on our island with a wide variety of activities, a pulsating night life, absolutely duty-free shopping, and 37 beautiful beaches to choose from,” the head of St. Maarten’s government wrote to one lawmaker, urging her to attend.
Rangel attended the 2008 conference in violation of a House gift ban because he accepted $1,200 in lodging and airfare paid by corporate sponsors, the Ethics Committee ruled.
A rep for IBM, which paid $20,000 as a sponsor, told investigators that she spoke to Rangel at a St. Maarten-sponsored reception — although Rangel told investigators that he didn’t remember meeting any industry people.
As for any actual work, “she stated that Members did not attend the breakout sessions,” according to a report of her interview.
Rangel testified that he attended only one panel during the three-day event, where the swag was in abundance.
A Macy’s representative told investigators the company contributed $35,000, plus 400 tote bags valued at a total of $4,625 — which appears to more than double the House gift limit of $50 per lawmaker.