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Friday, June 22, 2012
Engel in Hot Water on Personal Loan
The Daily News reports that Congressman Eliot Engel has failed to provide full disclosure about a large personal loan he received from a campaign contributor. Engel borrowed between $100,000 to $250,000 from a long-time political contributor to buy a Bronx apartment.
Why can't these politicians just behave like normal, honest people?
And remember that although Represenative Engel keeps an apartment in Riverdale, his real residence is the house that he lives in with his family in Potomac, Maryland.
Here's how the Daily News reported it in 2009:
Daily News Friday, March 13th 2009
BRONX REP. ELIOT ENGEL CALLS MARYLAND HOME FOR TAX BREAK
Bronx Rep. Eliot Engel may call himself a life-long Bronx resident, but he has also called Maryland his primary residence for years to get a local tax break that state officials have just squashed.
Engel, who rents an apartment back in his district, also owns a $1 million house with his wife in the well-off Washington suburb of Potomac, Md. - a property that has been afforded $7,000 in tax breaks since he bought it in 1993, The Associated Press reported.
To get the state and county paybacks, he had to list the property as his primary residence on county tax records - running afoul of Maryland tax collectors.
Engel insists he's just trying to play by the rules.
"My house is currently classified as 'nonowner-occupied.' I have never asked for any special privileges for being a congressman," he said.
A county tax official said Engel won't have to pay back the $7,000.
If you dig a bit on Google, you will find out a lot more about the entanglements of Congressman Engel and his longtime friend and backer Harry Bajraktari.
If you go to Congressman Engel's website, you will see that there is not much depth to his legislative record. The guy is just coasting along and does nothing particulary well or special in the House of Representatives. See for yourself: http://engel.house.gov/
Engel has been in Congress for almost TWENTY YEARS. Enough already ... it's not a lifetime post! There are plenty of younger people deserving of a chance to make their mark.
Let's not forget that in the run-up to the Iraq War, Congressman Engel voted in favor of President George W. Bush's request for authorization for the use of force in Iraq.
Why can't these politicians just behave like normal, honest people?
ReplyDeleteAnd remember that although Represenative Engel keeps an apartment in Riverdale, his real residence is the house that he lives in with his family in Potomac, Maryland.
Here's how the Daily News reported it in 2009:
Daily News
Friday, March 13th 2009
BRONX REP. ELIOT ENGEL CALLS MARYLAND HOME FOR TAX BREAK
Bronx Rep. Eliot Engel may call himself a life-long Bronx resident, but he has also called Maryland his primary residence for years to get a local tax break that state officials have just squashed.
Engel, who rents an apartment back in his district, also owns a $1 million house with his wife in the well-off Washington suburb of Potomac, Md. - a property that has been afforded $7,000 in tax breaks since he bought it in 1993, The Associated Press reported.
To get the state and county paybacks, he had to list the property as his primary residence on county tax records - running afoul of Maryland tax collectors.
Engel insists he's just trying to play by the rules.
"My house is currently classified as 'nonowner-occupied.' I have never asked for any special privileges for being a congressman," he said.
A county tax official said Engel won't have to pay back the $7,000.
READ MORE: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2009/03/13/2009-03-13_bronx_rep_eliot_engel_calls_maryland_hom.html
I thought his residency was the corner edge of the pew waiting to shake the Presidents hand....Isn't that the address on his petitions?
DeleteI think Engel had what's called a congressional lobotomy
DeleteSo it looks like the Honorable gentleman from Maryland may not be so honorable.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised. It seems like every month there's another New York elected official under suspicion of some kind of wrongdoing.
ReplyDeleteit's always about money
Delete$$$$$$$$$$$ !!!
Yes, another Bronx lawmaker is in hot water. So what's new?
ReplyDeleteIt's part of a string of activities discordant with the image that this rank-and-file Congressman tries to project.
Deleteseems like he is a tumor on congress
ReplyDeleteStop compaining. Just vote AGAINST Eliot L. Engel if you don't like what he does.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy at all to mount a successful campaign against an incumbent congressman.
DeleteOur electoral system is nominally open to all and yet, in practice, tightly controlled by the two political parties.
If you dig a bit on Google, you will find out a lot more about the entanglements of Congressman Engel and his longtime friend and backer Harry Bajraktari.
ReplyDeleteThis undercuts the little confidence I had left in this carpetbagging politician.
ReplyDeleteBut don't the local newspapers treat him like he is an esteemed member of congress???
DeleteSneaky
ReplyDeleteSounds like Mr. Engel has a pattern of being, how you say, Less Than Forthcoming ??
ReplyDeleteIf you go to Congressman Engel's website, you will see that there is not much depth to his legislative record. The guy is just coasting along and does nothing particulary well or special in the House of Representatives. See for yourself: http://engel.house.gov/
ReplyDeleteThat's why nobody in DC with any real power gives a peon like Eliot Engel the time of day.
DeleteEliot WHO?
DeleteI looked at his site and there is nothing original about the guy. After two decades of service, he is still something of a nonentity.
DeleteToday, primary day is your chance to vote against this awful politician who doesn't even live in the state.
ReplyDeleteGo vote!
He still refuses to disclose details of the loan
ReplyDeleteEngel has been in Congress for almost TWENTY YEARS. Enough already ... it's not a lifetime post! There are plenty of younger people deserving of a chance to make their mark.
ReplyDeleteWake up voters! You have the power to say adios to this career politician.
DeleteSHOCKER: Eliot Engel is a disappointing nobody on Capitol Hill
ReplyDeleteClearly, this guy is taking the voters for granted.
ReplyDeleteask gifford miller about engel
ReplyDeleteThat congressman is Damaged Goods.
ReplyDeleteRepresentative Engel looks like the late Spanish polo player the 14th Duke of Peñaranda de Duero.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Iraq??
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget that in the run-up to the Iraq War, Congressman Engel voted in favor of President George W. Bush's request for authorization for the use of force in Iraq.
Ha. Ha. The elections board just certified a 1,086-vote Rangel win.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it time for Engel to remove his campaign sign from the shoulder of Pinebrook Blvd up here in New Rochelle ???
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to fighting the power of incumbency, I recall this quote:
ReplyDelete"If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal." ~Emma Goldman
a mediocre congressman at best!
ReplyDeletewith his priorities totally off-kilter ...
DeleteAnd BLAND
DeleteAs the old saying goes, where there is smoke there is fire.
ReplyDelete