Rangel pays big money for legal muscle

WASHINGTON - The New York Post reported Sunday that the powerful chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee had hired the law firm though his Rangel for Congress fund.

Federal election rules prohibit elected officials from using campaign funds for personal legal expenses.

Rangel spokesman George Dalley said the congressman had a "prior ruling" from the Federal Election Commission that "this is a legitimate campaign expense."

But the chairman of an ethics-watchdog group was skeptical.

National Legal and Policy Center chairman Ken Boehm said the questions Rangel faces over his taxes appear to be personal in nature.