PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A jury has convicted a Pennsylvania congressman on trial in a racketeering case that largely centered on various efforts to repay an illegal $1 million campaign loan.
U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (SHAW’-kah fa-TAH’) was found guilty Tuesday of racketeering, fraud, money laundering and other counts. 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 has been in Congress since 1995 and served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
But he lost his costly bid to become mayor of Philadelphia in 2007 and lost his congressional seat in the April primary.
Prosecutors say Fattah routed federal grant money and nonprofit funds through his consultants to pay back the illegal loan.
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I don’t usually quibble over headlines, but should this not read “Former Representative”?? Although we need more Democrats in the House, we don’t need any more crooks. Enjoy your change of zip code, sir.
Another item evidencing the corrupting influence of money in our electoral politics. This is part of the price our democracy pays for the unwillingness of our politicians to limit the free-wheeling spending that pays for our elections. Our laws would be more just, and the general character of our legislators, at all levels of government, would elevate steadily.
Show him the door.
Well, overturning Citizens United is a key step in order to make such laws Constitutional again. Which is why anyone who cares about campaign finance reform needs to make sure Clinton wins in Nov. or you will never see meaningful campaign finance laws passed and enforced.
Chaka Con. Chaka Con. Chaka, Chaka. Chaka Con.
I don’t feel for you.