Shocking Chaka

70739615

Chaka Fattah, an 11-term Democrat representing Pennsylvania’s 2nd congressional district, which includes parts of South Philadelphia, will face sentencing Oct. 4 after his trial ended with a jury finding him guilty on 22 counts related to bribery, fraud, money laundering, and racketeering. In 2007, the politician, in his bid for mayor, borrowed $1 million from a donor and repaid part of the loan with charitable and federal grant funds that his nonprofit had received.

The detailed indictment and the Justice Department added Fattah used funds from that unsuccessful run and congressional campaigns to help his son, Chaka Fattah Jr., who ended up convicted of felony bank and tax fraud charges in February, to pay off student loan debt. The document also included the allegation that Fattah agreed to help a political consultant to receive federal grant money for the latter’s forgiving a $130,000 campaign debt. It stated, too, that he accepted bribes while seeking to secure for former Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Herbert Vederman an ambassadorship or appointment to the U.S. Trade Commission.

The decision marks another element to a turbulent year for the legislative branch member, whose indictment occurred in July and who lost his bid for another term in April, falling in the primary to Dwight E. Evans.