Ilitch and partner contributed to Rep. Rangel who's embroiled in corruption charges

According to OpenSecrets.org, Detroiters Mike & Marian Ilitch, and their associate/partner Michael Malik each contributed the maximum $4,600 (two contributions of $2,300 each) to U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) on 8.23.07. That’s a total of $13,800 to Rangel’s campaign committee. Charlie Rangel is chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has labeled Rangel one of the “20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress.” Rangel has come under intense scrutiny for a series of alleged ethics lapses, including failure to disclose income on real estate property and raising money for an educational center bearing his name. Rangel is currently the focus of a self-initiated House Ethics Committee investigation.

Marian Ilitch owns Detroit’s MotorCity Casino and Michael Malik was once her partner in that venture. The pair has partnered subsequently on Indian casinos proposed in California, Michigan and New York. Mike & Marian Ilitch are the co-founders of Little Caesars Pizza and own the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Mike Ilitch owns MLB’s Detroit Tigers.