The latest bill places more focus on eliminating the federal debt. Updated: 12/12/2016 12:02 PM EST. He then repaid some of it with federal grant money from NASA that he had steered to an education nonprofit run by loyal former staffers. 4646) which proposed to repeal the federal income tax and replace it with a 1 percent "transaction tax" on every financial transaction whether paid by cash, credit card or any form of financial transfer, the only exception being transactions involving the purchase or sale of stock. PHILADELPHIA A federal judge has sentenced Former Pennsylvania Congressman Chaka Fattah to 10 years behind bars on charges of racketeering, fraud and money laundering. Theres no better time to kick a candidate than when hes down. Bartle noted that Fattah and his wife, a TV news anchor, made more than $500,000 in combined income, placing them in the top 1 percent of Americans. Fattah, frankly, doesnt care about the politicians who have backed his most well-knownopponent. Even though she's been off the air for almost three years, people still recognize Chenault-Fattah when she's out and about and question her about when she'll be back on air. They have two school-age children. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He is from . In 2012, Fattah negotiated a partnership between FIRST and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to provide robotics programs to 4 million youth by 2015. ET. He is a member of famous with the age 66 years old group. Philadelphia news outlets have filed a motion to unseal court documents related to that dismissal. Twenty-twoarticles and press releases are strewn across a dark wood table in the board room of Congressman Chaka Fattahs West Philly office. Still, as he faces years behind bars, Fattahsfighting to keep his seat inthe Democratic primary on April 26. Legal Statement. Or rather, Chaka and Renee. Its the former home of Congressman Chaka Fattah and his wife Renee Chenault-Fattah, a 2.6-acre estate tucked away on a quiet lane in East Falls. GEAR UP has become the largest pre-college awareness program in the nations history and has given more than $2 billion toward the educational advancement of low-income students. On June 21, 2016, Fattah was convicted of all charges, including racketeering conspiracy, bribery, bank fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, making false statements to a financial institution, and falsification of records. With other women, he is the father of another daughter, Frances ("Fran"), and one son, Chaka Fattah Jr., known as "Chip", who was convicted of felony bank and tax fraud in February 2016. ( Photo via Facebook ), California residents do not sell my data request. Upon entering the political world at age 25, he became a lawmaker and served six years as Pennsylvania state representative, followed by six years as state senator. The conference brought together national leaders in cooperative development to share best practices to create powerful change for their organizations. His father said hes spoken to his son, who is looking forward to appealing his own federal case. He publicly supported the Bring Our Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Act a bill that called for bringing the troops home within six months and transitioning the Iraqis to self-government. Chenault-Fattah did let me know, though, that her marriage remains intact. the Service Employees International Union, spent about a third of whatbusinessman Tom Knox did, a Temple professor recently accused ofbeing a Chinese spy, Experts seem to agree that prosecutors have their hands full, 5 things to know about Joanna McClinton, Pa.s first Black woman House speaker, How to get on the primary ballot in Philly (and why candidates get kicked off), What should Philly mayoral candidates answer about public safety? In May 2013, Fattah introduced the Creating Jobs through Cooperatives Act (HR 2437). Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter and stay in the know, Fattahwasnt known as the type of person who would frequentlyhelp other politicos around town raise money. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He also mentioned Rep. Curt Weldon, a Republican congressman from the Philly burbs and a veritable 9/11 trutherwho served in Congress until 2007 when he lost to Joe Sestak, now a senate candidate. Fattah, 60, served 22 years in Congress . The longtime northwest Philadelphia state politician has friends in both Philadelphia and state politics, including Tasco, who has a reputation for being able to whip up a significant amount of votes in her 50th ward. 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]. A solarium with its own fireplace off the living room and a library paneled in knotty pine with built-in bookshelves are other distinctive elements. The program offers Philadelphians the chance to exchange firearms for vouchers for groceries or other goods. 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. In the 2014 election, Fattah received 181,141 votes, or 87.7% of the vote, to 25,397, or 12.3%, to his Republican opponent, Armond James, a school teacher with no prior political experience. Current law requires that schools within the same district provide comparable educational services; this bill would extend that basic protection to the State level by requiring comparability across school districts. But money more oftendoes. Labeled as "Person E" throughout the 85-page indictment, Chenault-Fattah, one of the station's most visible personalities and anchor of the 4 and 6 p.m. broadcasts, is portrayed as a participant in a scheme to falsely report the sale of her 1989 Porsche Carrera convertible to a lobbyist for $18,000. Chaka Fattah (Arthur Davenport) was born on 21 November, 1956 in Philadelphia, PA. The public expects their elected officials to act with honesty and integrity, U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia Zane Memeger said when charges were filed. That is not going to be the big deal of whatever is said about me, he says, pausing to point at the 22 articles that lay out his political accomplishments. She is on leave from her anchor job. Fattah, a Democrat formerly representing Pennsylvanias second congressional district, was found guilty in June 2016. Renee Chenault-Fattah, wife of the indicted Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Pa.), was not charged by federal authorities Wednesday - but the longtime NBC10 anchor did not escape the U.S. attorney's charging document. U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle called the Philadelphia Democrats crimes astonishing given that he and his wife had an annual income that put them at or near the top 1 percent.. We have estimated 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, paid for that poll. 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. The tax credit assists any full-time college or university student or their families that claim the credit. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 21 November. 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. A handful of names circulated, from District Attorney Seth Williams to now former Mayor Michael Nutter. As a member of Pennsylvanias state House Fattah wrote and passed into law Pennsylvanias Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP). Fattah was once a shoo-in for his seat representing the second congressional district, one of the poorest in the nation and the only district in Pennsylvania with a majority black residency. African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Chaka-Fattah-Jr-Fraud-Sentencing-Federal-Court-367332741.html, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chaka-fattah-former-pennsylvania-congressman-10-years-prison-corruption/, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. Vederman wrote back to Fattah, "love to purchase" the car, according to the indictment, and later wired $18,000 to Fattah. But he was charged in 2015, and then convicted on all counts the following year. said Fattah had rightly given up his ranking position. The two-story carriage house can serve as a separate residence for an in-law, aupair or guests. Theyre from the White House, The New York Times, The Inquirer, The Times of Israel. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Fattah also hired Vederman's girlfriend to his staff as the transactions were taking place, according to the indictment. All they have to do is believe in the system.. 3941-45 W. Netherfield Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19129 | TREND images via Elfant Wissahickon Realtors. However, the law was riddled with loopholes, leaving convicted felons to collect taxpayer-funded pensions. Social Activism Brings a Name Change. Fattah was challenged by Republican nominee Robert Allen Mansfield, Jr. and Independent candidate and publisher of the Germantown Newspapers, Jim Foster. Anna Orso was a reporter/curator at Billy Penn from 2014 to 2017. Fattah says he can get by largely on the fact that his name has been on the ballot for two decades. Fattah grew up in Philadelphia, attending Overbrook High School and the Community College of Philadelphia. HEMAP is a loan program designed to protect Pennsylvanians who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Now I know its actually people in the barbershops and the beauty salons. He's currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. Former Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., walks from the federal courthouse on Monday after his sentencing hearing in Philadelphia. Theyre from the White House. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. On December 12, 2016, Fattah was sentenced to 10 years in prison. But their real-life fairy tale turned into a nightmare in 2015 after the feds indicted and later convicted Chaka Fattah of racketeering, bribery, money laundering, and fraud. He was convicted on 23 counts of racketeering, fraud, and other corruption charges on June 21, 2016, and resigned two days later. 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. In 1994 Fattah was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after defeating incumbent Congressman Lucian Blackwell in the Democratic Primary for Pennsylvanias Second Congressional District. (The government thereafter announced its intention not to retry those counts.) Committed to one day maybe six days after the primary, the scheduled start date of his trial fighting those criminal charges. Fattah was a former state lawmaker and Philadelphia official who was elected to Congress in 1994. "This is an extraordinarily difficult day for me and my family. DeSantis family unwinds on horseback at Houston Rodeo ahead of governor's speech, Marianne Williamson launches campaign against Biden, vows to fight 'forces of hatred, injustice and fear', Haley blasts both Democrats and fellow Republicans, including Trump, over exploding national debt, Sen. Cornyn challenges Biden to enforce existing asylum law as Dems' 'open borders base' rails against admin. 2451. Do you find this information helpful? Thats an area where Evans whos successfully stumped for other candidates across the state has him beat. If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. Some of the major players in the city leadership maybe are not embracing me because allegations have been made about me, Fattah said. Chenault-Fattah has sold the 2.6-acre estate in East Falls that had been their marital home and downsized into something smaller near Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, where their daughter, Chandler, is an eighth grader. Renee Chenault-Fattah. Ambition Is an Asset. So the feds say hesecured a $1 million loan from then-Sallie Mae CEO Al Lord a big no-no in campaign finance and then paid back $600,000 of itusing charitable and federal funds through his nonprofit the Educational Advancement Alliance. [But] there are lots of people he hasnt done favors for, too. The latest property being unloaded in the Disgraced Pol Hit Parade went on the market last Tuesday. In December 2011, Fattah through his role on the Appropriations Committee, directed the OSTP to establish an Interagency Working Group on Neuroscience (IWGN). Congressman Chaka Fattah, a Philadelphia Democrat, speaks to the center for American Progress in 2010. 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. Since 2011, the Congressman was able to negotiate an increase of $30M to investment in DOJ programs that fund groups including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. (Instead of a paywall). Fattah compared himself to Rep. Joseph McDade, D-Pa., and Rep. Floyd Flake, D-N.Y., two former congressman charged in the 90s with corruption who were both later acquitted. In 2013, Fattah served as a vice chair on the House Gun and Violence Taskforce, a taskforce created under the direction of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. With that said, endorsements can sometimes help win elections. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Time Magazine named Fattah one of the 50 most promising leaders in the country. NBC10's Deanna Durante explains how. Twenty-twoarticles and press releases are strewn across a dark wood table in the board room of Congressman Chaka Fattahs West Philly office. Federal agents also saw the car in Fattah's garage in March 2014, the indictment says, more than two years after the transaction supposedly occurred. The Congressman has an older son, Chaka Fattah, Jr., also a politician, who was convicted of felony bank and tax fraud in February 2016. He even brought up that, earlier this month, charges were dropped against five Brooklyn teenagers accused of gang-raping a woman at a playground. He previously served in the Pennsylvania Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He added: I dont think that not having somebody on the appropriations committee disenfranchises the city.. Former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., was released from a federal lockup near Scranton last month to serve the rest of his sentence in either a halfway house or under house arrest in. After Fattah rattles off his accomplishments, he draws comparisons to others he says were unfairly targeted by law enforcement. By Fattahs own assessment, he could soonhold the purse strings of a nation in his hands. 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. His son, Chaka Fattah Jr. is serving a five-year prison term in an overlapping fraud case that went to trial last year. Legal Statement. The #WasteOfTheDay is presented by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com. After Congress tightened ethics laws, convicted members of Congress were supposed to lose federal pensions. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. "Almost every chronic illness hits us harder," she said, referring to African Americans. Fattahs third wife, Renee Chenault-Fattah, is a former Philadelphia television news broadcaster. Some are fromhis own office. Chenault-Fattah started with NBC10 in 1991, according to her biography on the station's website. When charges came down last summer, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Fattah had rightly given up his ranking position. You abused your trust, time and time again.. During his sentencing in 2016, U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle called the Philadelphia-area lawmaker's crimes "astonishing" given that he and his TV anchor wife had a $500,000 annual income that put them at or near the "top 1 percent.". This is my effort to get rid of public housing high rises in Philadelphia. When you get someone whos invested 10 or 20 years, and theyre in there and bringing resources back, it doesnt really make sense to get rid of them., The congressman has never won less than 85 percent of the vote in the general, and in 2000 he defeateda Libertarian by garnering an unheard-of 98 percent of the vote. At 66 years old, Chaka Fattah height not available right now. (Of note: Fattah came in fourth in that race. Fattah, who earned $174,000 as a congressman,. Please enter valid email address to continue. The younger Fattah is serving a five-year sentence. He talks about how former Mayor Michael Nutter. It is unclear but the Federal Bureau of Prisons database shows he is in a residential reentry center in Philadelphia. 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. The Justice Department wanted Fattah incarcerated for 17 to 21 years. Theyre both expected to start spending soon on television ads to increase name recognition in the district. Fattah, 60, served 22 years in Congress before losing a Democratic primary in April. On Monday, U.S. District Judge sentenced Fattah to 10 years in prison. If you know Chaka, he is the eternal optimist. So it was interesting to hear Chenault-Fattah spout facts and figures about Alzheimer's, which impacts about 5.7 million Americans. He says at least 25 million people have been impacted by his programs (there are 715,000 people in hisdistrict, 1.5 million in Philadelphiaand 12.8 million in the state), and that there isnt a single person in the citywho has not been touched in some significant, positive way by something he put in place. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Started in 1983 by Pennsylvanias Act 91 of 1983, it was only one of its kind until 2010 when Fattah added language to the Dodd Frank bill to provide similar assistance, to homeowners nationwide. In 2002, he was named to the PoliticsPA list of Best Dressed Legislators, noting his "excellence in haberdashery.". But Fattah says hes also more committed now than he ever has been. Housed within the White House and chartered on June 20, 2012, the IWGN convenes representatives across the Federal government to make recommendations about the future of neuroscience research. His wife, former NBC 10 anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah, was labeled as "Person E" in his indictment; she is accused of being a participant in falsely reporting the sale of her Porsche to a . In November 2013, Fattah was invited to attend as Keynote speaker at the Annual Cooperatives Conference, hosted by the NCBA. Politician. A jury has decided that based on the evidence presented to them that I am guilty of charges presented by the government. Bartle ordered Fattah to pay . The indictment says Chenault-Fattah e-mailed Vederman in January 2012 about purchasing her car. "Our family misses and loves him. To cement the transaction, Fattah provided a bank a copy of a bill of sale for the vehicle, the indictment says, which Chenault-Fattah had signed as the seller. She was cited in the case over the sham sale of her Porsche,. Fattah is married to his third wife, Renee Chenault-Fattah, a former Philadelphia television news broadcaster on WCAU-TV (NBC 10). The Fattahs used the cash to help buy a $425,000 vacation house in the Poconos, the indictment says, but Chenault-Fattah kept the Porsche - and even renewed its registration and took it to an auto shop months after signing the title over to the lobbyist, Herbert Vederman. Anchor Jim Rosenfield, speaking during Wednesday's 4 p.m. newscast, said Chenault-Fattah "is now on leave.". In 2004, Fattah introduced a bill titled the "Transform America Transaction Fee," (H.R. On November 5, 1991, City Councilman Lucien Edward Blackwell won the election with a plurality of 39% of the vote defeating Fattah (28%), John F. White (28%), and Nadine Smith-Bulford (5%). Sources. Fattah endorsed Barack Obama for President in 2008. He won a seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee, where he was able to steer millions of dollars in earmarks back home. In the 2011-12 election period, he spent $162,000 while the average winner of a House seat spent 10 times that, some $1.6 million. Fattah represented the 2nd district in Pennsylvania, an overwhelmingly Democratic district, in the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2016. He announced his immediate resignation from Congress two days later, on June 23. 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. 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 judge said it was equally astonishing that Fattah would steal money to cover his sons debts, to pay taxes and to buy a family vacation home. All the while he did it with his own little West Philadelphia political machine, with the support ofpeople like Hughes and Councilwoman Cindy Bass. Renee Chenault-Fattah, wife of the indicted Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Pa.), was not charged by federal authorities Wednesday - but the longtime NBC10 anchor did not escape the U.S. attorney's charging document. We're sorry what happened to your family, but isn't it great that you went on to use your voice to do something which makes an impact around this issue of Alzheimer's.' Former Democratic Rep. Chaka Fattah (Pa.) was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday by a federal judge in Philadelphia. 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. 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. The prize? Democrat Rep. Dwight Evans now holds Fattah's seat in Congress. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. first as a Wall Street lawyer and later a TV broadcaster, Indiegogo crowd-funding website for a new documentary, California residents do not sell my data request. Following this conference, his mother decided to change his name to Chaka Fattah, to acknowledge their African ethnicity. Two days later, according to the indictment, the Fattahs had their mortgage for the Poconos property approved. The estimated pension is at least $55,000 per year. In May 1986, he received his master's degree in Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government. Fattah then repaid it with funds that included NASA grant money steered through an education nonprofit run by former staffers. WASHINGTON -- Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Penn.) He can point to his early and loud supportof President Barack Obama. The four others convicted at trial will be sentenced later this week. Committed to funding neuroscience research. On July 29, 2015, Fattah and a group of associates were indicted on federal charges related to their alleged roles in a racketeering and influence peddling conspiracy. In 2009, Fattah introduced a fourth bill to require having a study conducted, H.R. 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. On July 29, 2015, Fattah and four of his associates, Bonnie Bowser, Karen Nicholas, Herbert Verderman and Robert Brand were indicted for their alleged roles in a racketeering conspiracy involving several schemes that were intended to further the political and financial interests of the defendants and others by, among other tactics, misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars of federal, charitable and campaign funds. The conference was designed to encourage minority students interest in STEM graduate and professional schools. While you have done much good, you also engaged in grave and widespread criminal activity, Bartle added. Born in Philadelphia on November 21, 1956, Chaka Fattah grew up with political ideas and even developed his own political propaganda for other candidates at the age of 14. Prosecutors say Fattah tried to conceal an $18,000 bribe from Vederman by pretending he sold a Porsche to the man. 1579. He says hes spent more than $300,000 paying for his legal defense. 1601, and again in 2007 with H.R. ", She added, "This is a disease that has no effective treatment and no cure.". People got to be real careful about taking out a guy like that, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, a longtime Fattah supporter, said last June. Its very hard he said. This was my first big success in Congress.. The Republican party may have won a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, but a seat was still found for a liberal named Chaka Fattah.The freshman Democratic congressman from Philadelphia is a lawmaker who has . If BP helped inform you, join as a member today! Fattah also hired Vedermans girlfriend in his Capitol Hill office. In November 2006, he declared his candidacy for Mayor of Philadelphia, where two-term incumbent Mayor John F. Street was barred from re-election by term limits, amid pressure from Democratic voters to keep his Congressional seat in order to maintain a Philadelphia representative on the powerful Appropriations Committee in the House. 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. Fattah is also the creator of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Committed to youth mentorship. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. His wife, Philadelphia TV news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah, took a leave after her husband's indictment and then quit in February. Congressman William Gray decided to resign. Fattah, who has so far largely escaped being attacked by challengers with regard to the litany of criminal charges and accusations against him, is harnessing the one thing that he has that Evans doesnt: 22 years in congress and a seat on the House Committee on Appropriations. Discover Chaka Fattah's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. "I love my husband. She's done with that. Suddenly, the popular broadcaster was a stay-at-home mom with a whole lot of time on her hands and a non-compete clause that sidelined her for a least a year. Meanwhile, Evans had $303,000 on hand and Muroff had $208,000. Fattah won his first election in 1982 by 58 votes , defeating a party-favored incumbent for the 192nd house seat in the Pennsylvania .