Democratic congressman Chaka Fattah convicted on racketeering, fraud and money laundering charges for using federal grant money to pay back an illegal campaign loan

Tuesday, June 21, 2016
By Paul Martin

Fatah was elected in 1995
He was put on the powerful House Appropriations Committee
‘The nanny, the Porsche and the Poconos’
Lawmaker ran into financial trouble after failed bid for mayor of Philadelphia
Defense claims Fattah accepted help from a friend, but not bribes
His son also was convicted in a related case

DailyMail.com
21 June 2016

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A veteran Pennsylvania congressman was convicted Tuesday in a racketeering case that largely centered on various efforts to repay an illegal $1 million campaign loan related to his unsuccessful 2007 mayoral bid.

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah was found guilty of all counts against him, including racketeering, fraud and money laundering.
His lawyers had argued that the schemes were engineered without Fattah’s knowledge by two political consultants who pleaded guilty in the case.

The 59-year-old Democrat had been in Congress since 1995 and served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. But he lost the April primary and his bid for his 12th term. His current term ends Jan. 2.

Fattah had little reaction to the verdict, but he kept a smile on his face as he conferred with his lawyers afterward.
He will remain free on bail. A judge set sentencing for Oct. 4.

Fattah told reporters as he was leaving the courtroom: “Well, it’s a tough day, but I do want to thank the jurors for their service.” He said he will confer with his lawyers on the next step.

Prosecutors said Fattah routed federal grant money and nonprofit funds through his consultants to pay back the illegal loan.

His wife, Philadelphia TV news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah, took a leave after her husband’s indictment and then quit in February. She was cited in the case over the sham sale of her Porsche, which prosecutors said was a bribe. But she was never charged with any wronging, and she said the sale was legitimate.

The Rest…HERE

Leave a Reply

Join the revolution in 2018. Revolution Radio is 100% volunteer ran. Any contributions are greatly appreciated. God bless!

Follow us on Twitter