CBS reports that Democrat Charlie Rangel, chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, has given campaign money to several Democrats who serve on the House Ethics Committee, leaving some to wonder if this is a payoff for getting him off the hook on his numerous tax problems. One of those is G.K. Butterfield, D-NC:

CBS 2 HD has discovered that since ethics probes began last year the 79-year-old congressman has given campaign donations to 119 members of Congress, including three of the five Democrats on the House Ethics Committee who are charged with investigating him.

Charlie’s “angels” on the committee include Congressmen Ben Chandler of Kentucky, G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina and Peter Welch of Vermont. All have received donations from Rangel.