Rep. Chaka Fattah's indictment on racketeering charges is 'deeply saddening' to Nancy Pelosi

Brett T. | 4:50 PM on July 29, 2015

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.