After a lengthy federal investigation, Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) was indicted today on 29 counts of bribery; conspiracy to commit wire, honest services, bank and mail fraud; money laundering and other charges.
WPVI-TV in Philadelphia reports that the allegations stem from the suspected misappropriation of hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal, charitable and campaign funds after Fattah’s failed 2007 run for mayor.
The indictment alleges @chakafattah used his non-profit and in particular charitable and federal grant funds to help repay the campaign loan
— Chad Pradelli (@chadpradelli) July 29, 2015
The indictment also alleges @chakafattah and his co-defendants created sham contracts, falsified accounting records and tax returns
— Chad Pradelli (@chadpradelli) July 29, 2015
Indictment against @chakafattah also alleges the congressman used bribe $ to buy pocono home. He allegedly disguised payment as a car sale.
— Chad Pradelli (@chadpradelli) July 29, 2015
A statement from the U.S. Attorney gives some specifics:
The indictment alleges that, in connection with his failed 2007 campaign to serve as mayor of Philadelphia, Fattah and certain associates borrowed $1 million from a wealthy supporter and disguised the funds as a loan to a consulting company.
…
In addition, the indictment alleges that after his defeat in the mayoral election, Fattah sought to extinguish approximately $130,000 in campaign debt owed to a political consultant by agreeing to arrange for the award of federal grant funds to the consultant.
…
The indictment further alleges that Fattah misappropriated funds from his mayoral and congressional campaigns to repay his son’s student loan debt. To execute the scheme, Fattah and Bowser allegedly arranged for his campaigns to make payments to a political consulting company, which the company then used to lessen Fattah’s son’s student loan debt.
The indictment actually goes on, but Fattah insists that he’s not resigning.
.@FOX29philly Rep.Chaka Fattah defends himself. Says "this is not DeflateGate." To fight charges. Won't resign.#fox29 pic.twitter.com/GzIXlrNtow
— Dave Schratwieser (@DSchratwieser) July 29, 2015
Rep Fattah needs to resign. And don't give the presumption-of-innocence line, that's for the trial. http://t.co/jZiHKrVdZB
— (((Grace Lidia Suárez))) (@gracels) July 29, 2015
Corruption is never excusable, and Rep. Fattah should resign for the sake of his constituents.
— Will Anderson (@WW_Anderson) July 29, 2015
Someone in D.C. get Chaka Fattah to resign today. Someone in Philly get Michael Nutter to run today.
— Tom Brennan Blue Checkmark (@Brennanator) July 29, 2015
Worst of all, Fattah’s indictment has made Nancy Pelosi sad.
Pelosi says federal racketeering charges against Rep Chaka Fattah D-PA are "deeply saddening"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) July 29, 2015
@jamiedupree … but not surprising.
— Bryan Coughlin (@BPCoughlin) July 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/WekivaSprings/status/626434930814361600
https://twitter.com/McLonergan/status/626435633267879936
https://twitter.com/TANSTAAFL23/status/626429443259543552
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