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Fattah, 59, is
accused of misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars in
campaign, charity and federal grant money while engaging in a
series of fraudulent schemes over several years.
In 2007, prosecutors say, Fattah accepted a secret $1 million
loan from a wealthy benefactor for a mayoral campaign that would
prove unsuccessful, then misappropriated charitable and taxpayer
funds to pay it back.
He is also accused of accepting bribes in exchange for official
acts and using campaign funds to repay his son’s student loan
debt.
The son, Chaka Fattah Jr., was himself convicted of federal
charges in November stemming from an unrelated bank fraud and
later sentenced to five years in prison.
The elder Fattah, who has served in Congress since 1995, faced
his first primary challenge in 20 years and lost his reelection
bid in April.
The congressman has repeatedly maintained his innocence since
his indictment was announced in July 2015.
Fattah faces a total of 23 charges, including racketeering,
fraud, bribery, money laundering and conspiracy. Four associates
of Fattah are also facing trial, which will take place in
federal court in Philadelphia.
(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by David Gregorio)
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