Jury Selection Begins in Rep. Chaka Fattah’s Corruption Case
BY THE PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE | ASSOCIATED PRESS
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[dropcap]PHILADELPHIA[/dropcap] (AP) — Jury selection has begun in the federal corruption trial of Democratic U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah.
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The 59-year-old Pennsylvania congressman is accused of accepting bribes and misusing campaign funds and federal grants to enrich his family and friends.
The jury selection process is under way Monday at the federal courthouse in Philadelphia. Opening statements are set for May 16.
Fattah calls the indictment the product of a lengthy FBI witch hunt.
He has represented the Philadelphia area in Congress since 1995 but lost last week’s primary election to state Rep. Dwight Evans.
Several former aides or allies are also charged. Fattah’s son is meanwhile serving a five-year prison term in a related case that went to trial last year.[/two_third][one_third_last padding=”0 0px 0 10px”]
CHAKA FATTAH
Chaka Fattah (born Arthur Davenport; November 21, 1956) is the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania’s 2nd congressional district, serving since 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the Pennsylvania Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
The district includes portions of North Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, and West Philadelphia along with Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County.
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. He later lost the 2016 Democratic primary as well.[/one_third_last]
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