(CNN) – Under fire for allegations of ethical violations, New York Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel told reporters Monday that he has no intention of stepping down as chairman of the key tax writing committee in the House.
"I don't see what purpose that would serve," Rangel said as he left a press conference with a group of Mayors. "I don't think reporters should be in the position of removing Chairmen.”
Recently press reports raised questions about Rangel's support for a tax break for a company that contributed to an academic center bearing his name and his campaign fund’s $80,000 payment to his son for designing his campaign Web site. The House ethics committee is already investigating Rangel for failing to pay taxes on a vacation home, using a rent controlled apartment for his political committee, and his use of official congressional stationary to solicit funds for the academic center.
Asked if the ethics committee should investigate the latest allegations, Rangel replied, "they should investigate everything that's been said."
Lashing out at the most recent report appearing in Politico that Rangel paid his son $80,000 to design his campaign Web site, a fee that experts say was legal but excessively high, Rangel said, "I think the reporter should crawl from under his rock and apologize to my son."
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg meanwhile praised Rangel and said he continues to be a valuable ally for New York City.
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