PA State Rep Stole $500K Through Her Philly Non Profit Group: AG

PHILADELPHIA — A member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from Philadelphia turned herself in to authorities Wednesday after authorities alleged she exploited a non-profit group she launched more than a dozen years ago.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Wednesday that State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, who was elected to the 190th District in 2018, was charged with theft, perjury, tampering with records, and more after allegedly using Medicaid and social security payments from disenfranchised groups in Philadelphia for her personal benefit.

Johnson-Harrell is accused of using funds meant to pay for personal care homes run by her group Motivation, Education and Consultation Association (MECA) which she launched in 2006 and served as the sole executive and director.

MECA provided homes for groups such as the homeless, seniors, those battling addiction, and the disabled.

However, Shapiro said many of the residents were living in squalor, and several of the facilities were shut down and residents kicked out. But Shapiro said she continued to collect payments from them.

The AG's office launched their investigation in 2019 after a Powelton Avenue facility closed.

Shapiro said after turning herself in, Johnson-Harrell agreed to take responsibility for her actions and will plead guilty. Additionally, she is resigning from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Shapiro said.

Shapiro said she used the association as a cash account for her own personal use.

In total, she is accused of spending more than $500,000 meant of MECA funds on overdue car and mortgage payments; trips to Mexico, Orlando, and more; tuition for relatives; online shopping; and restitution payments from a previous case regarding compensation taxes; used MECA funds to support her 2016 and 2018 election campaigns; and more.

Additionally, Johnson-Harrell lied on bankruptcy filings, financial forms when taking a job in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, while filing financial disclosures when running for office, and on tax forms.

She also simply transferred MECA funds into her personal checking account when funds were low, Shapiro said.

Shapiro said this is the 60th arrest of a Pennsylvania public officials since he took office in January 2017.