THE JAMAICAN Government is yet to say whether it will press ahead with plans to honour United States Congressman Charles Rangel, despite his being at the centre of a major tax-evasion investigation.

Rangel was selected to receive a medal at this year's National Honours and Awards ceremony on October 19, Heroes Day.

Government had announced that Rangel was to be recognised for "outstanding contribution in promoting the interests of Jamaica and the Caribbean".

Yesterday, Information Minister Daryl Vaz said he was not in a position to comment on whether Rangel would receive the honour in light of the developments.

The Gleaner has been making queries to the Office of the Prime Minister since last Friday.

The United States House of Representatives last Thursday expanded its yearlong ethics inquiry to determine if Rangel filed inaccurate forms with Congress in disclosing his personal assets.

Failed to go public

Rangel, chair of a tax committee, recently updated his personal financial-disclosure forms for the past few years, revealing more than US$500,000 in assets he had failed to make public.

Under US law, lawmakers are required to file annual reports with Congress disclosing their assets and liabilities.

If the Ethics Committee finds that Rangel intentionally sought to hide assets, the panel could refer the matter to the Justice Department, which could pursue a criminal case.

Rangel's Democratic colleagues outvoted Republicans on Wednesday to foil an effort to force Rangel to step down as chairman of the tax-writing panel until the ethics panel completes its probe.

The Ethics Committee said it has authorised nearly 150 subpoenas, interviewed 34 witnesses and reviewed 12,000 pages of documents in the probe.

Rangel is being probed for a range of allegations, from failing to disclose income on a rental property, to using his official House letterhead when asking for donations to an educational centre that bears his name. He has denied any wilful wrongdoing.

Ties with caribbean

Rangel headed the presidential delegation to the state funeral of former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley in 1997.

The Democratic congressman and supporter of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was an opponent of the Caribbean leader's ouster which was aided by US-led forces.

"If you're elected as president of a country, don't depend on the US to respect the rule of law," Rangel has said.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com