White House spokesman Robert Gibbs weighed in on the ethics scandal surrounding Rep. Charlie Rangel on Thursday, describing the allegations against the New York Democrat as “serious charges.”

During brief remarks on the matter to reporters, Gibbs called the work of a special House ethics subcommittee “important to do,” but he declined to give his opinion on the charges that the panel brought against Rangel.

The subcommittee charged Rangel on Thursday afternoon with 13 counts of violating House rules and federal laws, including conduct reflecting discreditably on the chamber. The panel, a part of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, will next determine Rangel’s guilt or innocence.

“I don’t want to prejudge that outcome,” Gibbs said. “I will wait and get a full picture before I have anything additional to say.”