The ethics panel that investigated Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) has recommended that the former chairman of the Ways and Means Committee be reprimanded rather than censured or expelled for 13 alleged violations of House rules.

A reprimand is a milder form of punishment similar to the rebuke that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) received in 1997 over a book deal, The Washington Post notes.

"The recommendation we had was a reprimand, and I'll let the full committee make that decision," Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas), chairman of the ethics investigative subcommittee that announced the charges, told reporters today.

Green and Rep. Jo Bonner (Ala.), the top Republican on the investigative subcommittee, are serving as prosecutors in Rangel's legislative trial before a subcommittee of four Democrats and four Republicans serving as judge and jury.

(Posted by Michael Winter)