US Rep. Chaka Fattah Resigns From Congress

A day after being convicted on all conspiracy and bribery charges connected to the RICO scandal, US Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA 2) has resigned, according to a formal letter addressed to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

It was previously thought that Fattah might not formally resign until his sentencing on October 4.

Ryan had urged Fattah to resign immediately in the wake of Wednesday's conviction, however.

"Mr. Fattah has betrayed the trust of this institution and the people of Pennsylvania, and for that he should resign immediately from the House of Representatives," Ryan said in a statement late Wednesday afternoon. "We must hold members to the highest ethical standard, and I hope that Democratic leaders will join me in seeking his immediate resignation."

In his letter, Fattah did not address his conviction or any of the charges against him, saying only that "out of respect for the entire House leadership, and so as not to cause a distraction from the House’s work for the people, I have changed my effective (resignation) date."

Instead, Fattah discussed what he had accomplished during his tenure.

"I am proud of the work we have accomplished in the House, as we have passed legislation that has helped tens of millions of families," he said, pointing to successes in education, energy efficiency, and the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, which works to find a cure for brain diseases.

"As a result of my work in Congress tens of thousands of families throughout the Philadelphia region now live in affordable revitalized housing; major investments have been in the city’s infrastructure; and millions of dollars have been invested in K-12 education and University research and outreach efforts," the letter reads.

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, 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.

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

“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.”

Fattah represented Pennsylvania's second district in the House of Representatives. During the primaries in April, he was defeated by State Rep. Dwight Evans. The second district covers parts of Philadelphia, Lower Merion, and Bryn Mawr.