Charles Rangel slumlords for the wealthy

Rangel, the powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has been a pretty consistent fighter for keeping rent-control housing in New York City —

EXCEPT —

When the property company that’s cutting him a sweetheart deal on FOUR rent-controlled apartments, one of them apparently being used illegally by Rangel to boot, is the one turning rent-control properties into market-priced ones.

Rangel declined to answer questions during a telephone interview, saying that his housing was a private matter that did not affect his representation of his constituents.

“Why should I help you embarrass me?” he said, before abruptly hanging up.

Oh, no, hypocrisy NEVER affects how you represent your constitutents.

And, the apparent illegality?

Rangel uses his fourth apartment as a campaign office, despite state and city regulations that require rent-stabilized apartments to be used as a primary residence.

And, having four rent-stabilized apartments may be a violation of Congressional ethics rules on gifts, too.

Of course, some of Rangel’s own constituents are familiar with his past history of throwing his weight around in Harlem.

Read the full story for more on that, like the Apollo Theater.