Rep. Chaka Fattah Indicted

By KARA SEYMOUR (Patch Staff)

Philadelphia congressman Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) has been indicted and charged in connection with a bribery and money laundering scheme, authorities announced Wednesday.

Fattah, who represents Pennsylvania’s 2nd Congressional District, has been charged with bribery; conspiracy to commit wire, honest services, bank and mail fraud; money laundering and other charges, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger announced Wednesday.

The charges stem from an alleged racketeering case in which authorities say Fattah misappropriated federal and charitable money as well as campaign funds after a failed bid for mayor in 2007, 6ABC reported.

Four of Fattah’s associates were also charged, 6ABC said.

Authorities say Fattah and his associates used numerous schemes to misuse hundreds of thousands of dollars.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the 58-year-old congressman allegedly accepted an illegal loan for $1 million to fund his campaign and then repaid some of it using money from a nonprofit he founded.

Fattah, speaking in Washington to members of the media, reportedly denied any wrongdoing.

According to Philly.com, the congressman has been in the sights of federal prosecutors for years, in the form of subpoenas sent to his office and legal fights over access to his work e-mails. In addition, prosecutors brought a series of cases against Fattah’s son and a pair of his political advisors during his 2007 mayoral run.

Those indicted along with Fattah were Bonnie Bowser, 59, his chief of staff; Karen Nicholas, 57, a former staffer; Herbert Vederman, 69, a lobbyist and former Philadelphia deputy mayor under Ed Rendell and Robert Brand, 69, the head of a technology company.

Fattah’s 2nd Congressional District includes parts of North Philadelphia, West Philadelphia and South Philadelphia, as well as Lower Merion Township and Narberth in the suburbs.

This is a breaking story, check back for updates.