NEW YORK, NY November 05, 2009 —Congressman Charles Rangel is getting help from some business, labor, and nonprofit leaders. They're speaking out to defend the embattled politician as a House ethics panel investigates whether he mismanaged personal funds and improperly accepted a free trip to the Caribbean.

New York Presbyterian Hospital's President and CEO Herbert Pardes says there should be no judgment until the investigation ends. "In this country you're presumed innocent before you're proved guilty and that should apply to everybody, Mr. Rangel included," Pardes says.

Other New Yorkers who spoke out on Rangel’s behalf today include, former Comptroller H. Carl McCall, former Mayor David Dinkins, Rev. Calvin O. Butts; labor leaders Denis Hughes and UFT President Michael Mulgrew; and business leaders Steve Spinola, President of the Real Estate Board of New York, and Kathy Wylde, President of the Partnership for New York City.

If found guilty, Rangel could lose his chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means committee, which writes tax policy.

Rangel asked the Ethics Committee to investigate him last year. Rangel has represented New York in Washington since 1971.