Two of Fattah's political consultants and accomplices pleaded guilty and testified against him. (Of note: Fattah came in fourth in that race. Meanwhile, Fattah has taken heat from the judge in the case for publicly claiming hes more focused on winning re-election than he is in defending himself. "People will say, 'We miss seeing you on TV and it's such a shame what happened to your husband and your family," Chenault-Fattah said. Chenault-Fattah started with NBC10 in 1991, according to her biography on the station's website. If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. The only poll conducted so far suggests Evans is in the lead, but theres a caveat: Evans, who didnt respond to a request for comment. Chaka Fattah of racketeering, bribery, money laundering, and fraud. His wife, Philadelphia TV news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah, took a leave after her husband's indictment and then quit in February. They have two school-age children. He talks about how former Mayor Michael Nutter. But now, with about two months to go before the primary, three challengers have emerged: Longtime Northwest Philly state Rep. Dwight Evans, Lower Merion Township Commissioner Brian Gordon and ward leader Dan Muroff. Yet despite his safe congressional seat, Fattah always wanted to be a power player back home in Philadelphia, where he was born, and it was this desire that ultimately led to his downfall and federal conviction. His son, Chaka Fattah, Jr., is in federal prison after being convicted on charges he funneled government money to himself and defrauded others to pad a luxurious lifestyle. Fattah grew up in Philadelphia, attending Overbrook High School and the Community College of Philadelphia. Their older daughter, Cameron, is a freshman at Johns Hopkins University. Get your daily rundown of Philly happenings in less than 10 minutes, Philadelphia local news: Neighborhoods, politics, food, and fun, Get Philly smart with BPs free daily newsletter. The Associated Press contributed to this report. He won landslide after landslide every two years since 1994 without facing a formidable opponent once in the Democratic primary, and certainly not in the general election. This is my tuition and tax credit program this has helped millions of families. The sale price should just about cover the amount Chaka swiped from the government and nonprofit organizations to repay the illegal $1 million campaign loan that landed him in prison. Weldon was investigated by the feds and never charged, but news of a probe may have cost him his seat. I got to ask former WCAU-TV anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah anything I wanted about Alzheimer's disease. . Once he lost that race and faced a large debt, Fattah and his inner circle illegally used federal and charitable funds to help repay the loan. Fattah says he can get by largely on the fact that his name has been on the ballot for two decades. The Fattah campaign defended itself, claiming that it had followed less restrictive federal rules in spending the money, but eventually returned a portion of the excess contributions to the exploratory committee following a settlement with the city's Board of Ethics. Social Activism Brings a Name Change. It is unclear but the Federal Bureau of Prisons database shows he is in a residential reentry center in Philadelphia. On Monday, U.S. District Judge sentenced Fattah to 10 years in prison. The Fattahs were buying a vacation home in Shohola, Pa., the indictment says, and had agreed to pay just over $19,000 in settlement costs at closing. For context, heres what geographic area the second district covers: [googledocs url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zpCiRP_-CLNE.kuzLxa1XGo9o height=480 width=640]. On December 12, 2016, Fattah was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The cottage has a high-ceilinged living room with fireplace and a sleeping loft. This dominance. This was her first interview since her husband's conviction, so I asked her about that not that I could get her to say much about Chaka, his legal case or the infamous 1989 Porsche that prosecutors alleged was a cover for a bribe from a lobbyist. A subsequent Philadelphia Daily News investigation revealed that nonprofits receiving federal funding and connected to Fattah paid out over $5.8 million to Fattah allies and alleged that many of these payments were ethically dubious. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, Rep. Chaka Fattah responds to corruption charges: "This is not Deflate-gate", NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead, Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, convicted of misspending government grants and charity money to fund his campaign and personal expenses. "Whether it's diabetes, whether it's heart disease, strokes across the board.". Some are fromhis own office. One man standing outside a barbershopon Lancaster Avenue put it this way: We keep supporting these people, keep electing them, but they always end up doing dumb shit.Many are concerned Fattah is just another in a long line of political figures exposed of beinginvolved in shady dealings. NBC10's Deanna Durante explains how. He talks about how former Mayor Michael Nutter spent about a third of whatbusinessman Tom Knox did in the 2007 mayoral race. Committed to youth mentorship. He announced his immediate resignation from Congress two days later, on June 23. Bartle ordered Fattah to pay . Evans came in fifth of five.) Each touts something Fattah did while in the United States Congress representing Philadelphia. However, the listing agent states that most of the information about this property in public records is inaccurate and that a recentlycompleted survey of the property is available. Chenault-Fattah, who used to anchor her station's 4 and 6 p.m. newscasts, went on a six-month leave that eventually became permanent. All Rights Reserved. The Pennsylvania Democrats son, Chaka Fattah Jr., is already in prison on bank and tax fraud charges. She was cited in the case over the sham sale of her Porsche,. Fattah has long been attempting to have his sentence one of the longest ever imposed for a member of Congress reduced. In May 2013, Fattah introduced the Creating Jobs through Cooperatives Act (HR 2437). 3759) which proposed to have the U.S. Treasury conduct a one-year feasibility study of a 1 percent transaction fee imposed on transactions made at any financial institution. His wife is Renee Chenault-Fattah (m. 2001) Chaka Fattah Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Hes a member of the Democratic political establishment in both Philadelphia and Washington, and predicts that if things go his way, hes next in line to take over as the Democratic chairman of the Committee on Appropriations in the House. When I reached out to her on Tuesday, she was about to take part in a round-table discussion organized by Us Against Alzheimer's. Meanwhile, Evans had $303,000 on hand and Muroff had $208,000. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. All they have to do is believe in the system.. This dominancehas allowed him to spend little on campaigning, save for his 2007 bid for mayor. This is a story about my funding of the bridge over the Schuylkill, but its really symbolic of a host of efforts across the district. He won the general election with 86% of the vote. Congress works off seniority. Fattah also hired Vederman's girlfriend to his staff as the transactions were taking place, according to the indictment. Two of Fattahs political consultants pleaded guilty in the case and testified against him. Former state Rep. Dwight Evans, a fellow Democrat, now holds his seat. In the middle of Kelly territory, this 1930 Cotswold-style home lets you live the life of grace. Ive helped tens of millions of people, Fattah said. Im going to get these allegations behind me. Chaka Chip Fattah Jr., who never finished college, was convicted of using fraudulently obtained business loans to fund his jet-set lifestyle. Fattah ran for re-election to his seat in 2016, but he was defeated by Dwight Evans in the Democratic primary. After Congress tightened ethics laws, convicted members of Congress were supposed to lose federal pensions. Im as innocent as you are under our system, Fattah said. Fattah is only 64 years old, so his estimated lifetime pension is $1 million. Fattah, who earned $174,000 as a congressman, is married to longtime Philadelphia news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah. He can tout his role in passing the Affordable Care Act. Im going to win this election. A handful of names circulated, from District Attorney Seth Williams to now former Mayor Michael Nutter. So heres whatprosecutors say happened: Fattah and four of his close associates were indicted by federal prosecutors with the Department of Justice in July after they poked around in the congressmans finances for the better part of eight years. While in the U.S. House of Representatives. The long-running criminal scheme was related to paying back a loan from Fattahs unsuccessful run for Philadelphia mayor in 2007. After 30 years of working first as a Wall Street lawyer and later a TV broadcaster, she had to figure out what her third act would be. Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes not that were counting. The tax credit assists any full-time college or university student or their families that claim the credit. He is from . The conference brought together national leaders in cooperative development to share best practices to create powerful change for their organizations. Now all of a sudden he wants to run for mayor and he shows up dispensing checks. Those in high places will certainly know what happens in this courtroom today, said U.S. District Judge Harvery Bartle, III, as he sentenced Fattah, according to WPVI, a Philadelphia TV station. Fattah was convicted in June on a number of federal corruption charges, including bribery, racketeering, money laundering, bank fraud, mail and wire fraud, and filing false statements. Fattah's wife, Renee Chenault-Fattah, was implicated in the indictment against the congressman and no longer sits at the anchor desk at NBC 10 where she worked for nearly 25 years. Earlier this year, Fattah, 60, was convicted of misspending government grants and charity money to fund his campaign and personal expenses, even as he and his TV anchor wife earned more than $500,000 a year. People got to be real careful about taking out a guy like that, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, a longtime Fattah supporter, Congress works off seniority. He won a seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee, where he was able to steer millions of dollars in earmarks back home. Fattah is also the creator of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). This legislation will provide means to catalyze cooperative development, provide tools to entrepreneurs to bring cooperative to their communities, partner with financial institutions to provide grants a loans to developing businesses, offer technical training and professional development. Fattahwasnt known as the type of person who would frequentlyhelp other politicos around town raise money. The couple, married in 2001, have one daughter, Chandler Fattah. Fattah, who earned $174,000 as a congressman,. After charges were filed against Fattah last summer, not everyone in West Philadelphia, an area that was once on lock for the former congressmans voters base, was on Fattahs side and praying for his re-election. 3941-45 W. Netherfield Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19129 [Connie Gillespie | ElfantWissahickon Realtors], Philadelphia Shops and Resources Thatll Help Outfit Your Dream Home Office Space, The Most Walkable Philadelphia Suburbs and Neighborhoods. Chaka Fattah's income source is mostly from being a successful . And then Im going to continue my work in the Congress, he said. Fattah eventually came in fourth in the Democratic primary, close behind fellow Congressman Bob Brady but well behind former city councilman Michael Nutter, who went on to win the fall general election handily. U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Pa.) was convicted Tuesday on federal racketeering and bribery charges, putting an ignominious stamp on the career of one of the region's longest-serving members of Congress and all but ensuring that his public life will be capped with a prison sentence. Legal Statement. Chenault-Fattah, who is also a lawyer, spent 25 years with WCAU-TV before she resigned after the indictment named her a participant in the bribery scheme. Twenty-twoarticles and press releases are strewn across a dark wood table in the board room of Congressman Chaka Fattahs West Philly office. Chenault-Fattah, who is also a lawyer,. But behind the confidence, the political experience and the public relations in those 22 articlesare29 federal counts of corruption the reason why Fattah is in the thick of his most contested congressional race since he first won the seat in 1994. She is on leave from her anchor job. Fattah used the money to pay personal expenses, including his taxes. "Asking for $18,000 which is a steal.". And his family has fallen with him. 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. ", NBC 10 News Anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah. While it was one the harshest sentences ever handed out to a one-time member of Congress, federal prosecutors had asked for a longer term behind bars. The living room boasts such classic details as a chair rail and a marble fireplace; it also is decorated with wallpaper depicting West African scenes. A year earlier in 2015, Fattah was indicted on charges of bribery, money laundering, and bank and mail fraud, among other charges, making him vulnerable in the primary. His son, Chaka Fattah Jr. is serving a five-year prison term in an overlapping fraud case that went to trial last year. Former Democratic Rep. Chaka Fattah (Pa.) was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday by a federal judge in Philadelphia. As of September 5, 2010, none of the House committees have scheduled any action on the latest bill. On the basis of this ruling, Fattah appealed his conviction in October 2016, placing his sentencing on hold. Fattah and several of his co-defendants, who include former campaign and congressional aides, obtained an illegal $1 million loan for him during the 2007 mayors race. Some of the earliest charges stem from Fattahs failed bid for Philadelphia mayor in 2007, when his early lead was dwindling just weeks before the primary and he was running low on cash. For 16 minutes, the 59-year-old describes each one in varying detail. Outside of legislative work Fattah has created a few local education initiatives for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania families as a state legislator and in cooperation with state and municipal governments, including the CORE scholars program and the annual Grad Conference. / CBS/AP. Despite the successes, the connections, the seniority and the support, hes a careerpolitician whos nearly out of campaign funds and who couldnt pay the lawyers defending him on charges of using public money and charity dollars to further his political career and line the pockets of hisassociates. For example, Fattah used $23,000 in nonprofit funds to repay his sons college loans and took an $18,000 bribe to try to help a friend become an ambassador. In 2012, Fattah negotiated a partnership between FIRST and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to provide robotics programs to 4 million youth by 2015. Renee Chenault-Fattah. The spacious main residence is in excellent shape and retains most of its Old English charm. The Congressman has an older son, Chaka Fattah, Jr., also a politician, who was convicted of felony bank and tax fraud in February 2016. Fattah has introduced a few bills targeting the equity of resource allocation within and between school districts. 3941-45 W. Netherfield Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19129 | TREND images via Elfant Wissahickon Realtors. Ive won dozens and dozens of elections. They told authorities the money covered the friends purchase of a Porsche owned by Fattahs wife, but the Porsche never left their garage. Its alleged that he misappropriated more funds from his mayoral and congressional campaigns in order to pay off his sonsstudent loan debt by dispensing checks to a political consulting firm which then lessened his sons college debt burden. They say Fattah and his allies ran not one, but several schemes, that misappropriated funds and helped him further his own political and financial interests. ", When I asked how he's faring in federal prison, she said, "Chaka's doing great. Ironically, Fattah says that one day he hopes his legacy in Philadelphia is not about his success at the polls or the elections hes won or even about his prominence in the Washington Democratic establishment, but rather, he says, about what hes done for his constituents and for the country. Fattahs third wife, Renee Chenault-Fattah, is a former Philadelphia television news broadcaster. May 17, 2021 After being sentenced to 10 years in prison for a 23-count conviction for racketeering, fraud and other corruption charges, disgraced former Congressman Chaka Fattah was released from prison last July after about one year. Please enter valid email address to continue. We have estimated In 2002, he introduced the "Student Bill of Rights", H.R. This was my first big success in Congress.. She sat in the courtroom Monday typing on an iPad during the hearing. Congressman William Gray decided to resign. As a member of Pennsylvanias state House Fattah wrote and passed into law Pennsylvanias Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP). A source speculated to The Philadelphia Inquirer that the decision could be tied to coronavirus concerns. The Philadelphia Democrat, who was first elected to . According to local lore, this cottage once served as a way station for hunters. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Chaka Fattah (born Arthur Davenport; November 21, 1956) is an American politician from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who served as a Democratic member of the U.S. House for Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district from 1995 to 2016. Fattah and the other co-conspirators submitted false billing statements to his mayoral campaign in order to keep the loan secret. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Prosecutors say he also used $27,000 in charity funds to pay down his son's college loans and took an $18,000 bribe to help a friend become an ambassador. Market data provided by Factset. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This search result is here to prevent scraping, 3941-45 W. Netherfield Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19129, Just Listed: Wash West Trinity Condo for Sale, On the Market: Quakertown Contemporary Manor House for Sale, On the Market: Ottsville Farmhouse for Sale with Organic Farm, The 50 Hottest Philadelphia Neighborhoods and Nearby Towns, Just Listed: Rittenhouse Square Full-Floor Duplex Condo for Sale. The couple, married in 2001, have one daughter, Chandler Fattah. On December 12, 2016, Fattah was sentenced to 10 years in prison as a result of the conviction. The taskforce included both liberal and conservative Democrats, gun owners and Representatives from various cities. People got to be real careful about taking out a guy like that, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, a longtime Fattah supporter, said last June. Local news should be free and accessible, which is why we ask readers like you to support our work rather than charging a fee to see it. Matt Rourke/AP A federal jury has sentenced former Rep. Chaka. | AP Photo. From 1995 to 2016, Fattah served as the U.S. Representative from Pennsylvanias 2nd Congressional District. All rights reserved. All the while he did it with his own little West Philadelphia political machine, with the support ofpeople like Hughes and Councilwoman Cindy Bass. The Court of Appeals remanded for a new trial as to certain bribery and money laundering counts, concluding that the jury had not been properly instructed regarding official acts in a bribery context. His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother soon remarried to a man she met at a national conference on black power in 1968.
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