Former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah Gets 10 Years in Prison

Former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA 2), who represented the Philadelphia area in Congress for 21 years, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of conspiracy and bribery charges connected to the RICO scandal.

Fattah was at the center of a rackateering case in which he misappropriated federal and charitable money as well as campaign funds after a failed bid for Philadelphia mayor in 2007, officials said.

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

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.

He resigned his Congressional post on June 23. He was on his way out regardless, as he was defeated in the primaries by eventualRep.-elect Dwight Evans.

Four others were also found guilty of participating in the racketeering conspiracy, authorities said.

The 10-year sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III.

“Congressman Fattah corruptly abused his office for his own personal and political gain,” Assistant Attorney General Caldwell said on Wednesday. “He took bribes, committed fraud and even stole money from his own campaigns. In short, Congressman Fattah and his codefendants deprived the people of eastern Pennsylvania of their right to the honest services of their elected representative. Today’s convictions should send a message that the Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute political corruption wherever it takes place, and uphold the principles of honesty and integrity that are the foundation of our government.”

The second district covers parts of Philadelphia, Lower Merion, and Bryn Mawr.