The 22-year Congressman, indicted on federal corruption charges, grants a rare interview as he faces an unprecedented challenge. The Justice Department wanted Fattah incarcerated for 17 to 21 years. If BP helped inform you, join as a member today! , money, salary, income, and assets. On July 12, 2019, a Philadelphia judge sentenced Fattah to 10 years in federal prison for public corruption. The tax credit assists any full-time college or university student or their families that claim the credit. 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.". All the while he did it with his own little West Philadelphia political machine, with the support ofpeople like Hughes and Councilwoman Cindy Bass. What hewilladmit: Raising cash for re-election while under the cloud of federal indictmenthas been a struggle. 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. Or rather, Chaka and Renee. So, how much is Chaka Fattah worth at the age of 66 years old? Congressman Chaka Fattah's wife, NBC10 News Anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah responds to allegations detailed in a Federal Indictment against her husband. In 1987, Fattah founded the Graduate Opportunity Initiative Conference, an annual three-day informational and scholarship conference which aims to significantly increase the enrollment of underrepresented graduate students studying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM fields). 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. 2451. Meanwhile, Evans had $303,000 on hand and Muroff had $208,000. Fattah and his wife, Renee Chenault Fattah, also allegedly used bribery proceeds to "close on a vacation home" in the Poconos by falsely disguising an . Fattahs position on the spending committee has allowed him to direct resources to programs hes prioritized over the years, whether its neuroscience and research involving brain function, youth mentoring expansion or education programs that have helped underprivileged families send their kids to college. Fattah Estate Goes on the Market in East Falls for $995K As of September 5, 2010, none of the House committees have scheduled any action on the latest bill. [But] there are lots of people he hasnt done favors for, too. Im as innocent as you are under our system, Fattah said. As he awaited his sentence, Fattah said he had mixed emotions: saddened to find himself in court but grateful for the work he was able to do. With regard to the governments cross-appeal, the Court of Appeals reinstated certain counts that had been dismissed by the District Court post-trial. Hes done lots of favors for lots of people, Dilworth said. Anna Orso was a reporter/curator at Billy Penn from 2014 to 2017. 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. Fattah says he can get by largely on the fact that his name has been on the ballot for two decades. But the icing on this crooked cake is that Fattah is collecting a taxpayer-funded pension. Anchor Jim Rosenfield, speaking during Wednesday's 4 p.m. newscast, said Chenault-Fattah "is now on leave.". 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. 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. On the basis of this ruling, Fattah appealed his conviction in October 2016, placing his sentencing on hold. He reported for prison at Federal Correctional Institution, McKean near Lewis Run, Pennsylvania on January 25, 2017. U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III told Fattah in January:You need to take this matter seriously and think long and hard about your priorities., The charges Fattah denies are what hesomehow calls a clarifying moment., Sometimes when youre flying on Air Force One and some corporate CEO is waiting to greet you and introduce you and this and that, but theyre really not talking to you. Fattah attended Overbrook High School in Philadelphia and graduated with his BA from the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School of Business in 1978. 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. Since 2011, it has assisted 4.5million students and their families. Fattahs criminal acts were part of a years-long scheme related to his unsuccessful bid to become mayor of Philadelphia. 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%). Fattah, a Democrat formerly representing Pennsylvanias second congressional district, was found guilty in June 2016. Fattah's wife, longtime Philadelphia news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah and their two daughters were not charged. 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. [Hes]got an incredible social network. He even lobbied President Barack Obama on the friends behalf, to no avail. The program offers Philadelphians the chance to exchange firearms for vouchers for groceries or other goods. Pennsylvania Rep. Chaka Fattah convicted in racketeering case Former Pa. Congressman Chaka Fattah Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison 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. Fattah, 60, served 22 years in Congress before losing a Democratic primary in April. In the middle of Kelly territory, this 1930 Cotswold-style home lets you live the life of grace. Among the charges: Mail fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy, bribery and racketeering, which is essentially using a legit organization for illegal purposes. Ive helped tens of millions of people, Fattah said. Upstairs youll find three bedrooms and a full bath. This is my tuition and tax credit program this has helped millions of families. 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. He's doing well. 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. Theyre both expected to start spending soon on television ads to increase name recognition in the district. From the outside, things seem painfulfor Fattahs family. 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. All the while he did it with his own little West Philadelphia political machine, with the support ofpeople like Hughes and Councilwoman Cindy Bass. or redistributed. 3941-45 W. Netherfield Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19129 | TREND images via Elfant Wissahickon Realtors. The conference was designed to encourage minority students interest in STEM graduate and professional schools. He brings up that former Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush spent $136 million compared to Donald Trumps $11 million. The program promotes college attendance among the nations most impoverished students. I don't want to say anything about the case because it's being appealed. Fattahwasnt known as the type of person who would frequentlyhelp other politicos around town raise money. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. It's the former home of Congressman Chaka Fattah and his wife Renee Chenault-Fattah, a. 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. Voting ina new congressman would be, in his words, a Chip Kelly trade something that, roughly speaking, changes the team but for the worse. This was a significant decrease from the 2012 election, when Fattah received 302,746 votes, more votes than any other member of the House of Representatives for that election. They have two school-age children. When former WCAU-TV co-anchor Renee Chenault wedded former Congressman Chaka Fattah in 2001, the Daily News proclaimed theirs the marriage of a century. 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. Bartle ordered Fattah to pay . For 16 minutes, the 59-year-old describes each one in varying detail. The reason we must take an educated guess? Fattah also provided a copy of the title to the Porsche to the bank, the indictment says. But the icing on this crooked cake is that Fattah is collecting a taxpayer-funded pension. His bill calls for $25 million federal investment and technical assistance to cooperatives through a new National Cooperative Development Center. 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. His wife is Renee Chenault-Fattah (m. 2001). This dominance. Chaka Fattah indicted in racketeering scheme | CNN Politics Congressman Chaka Fattah, a Philadelphia Democrat, speaks to the center for American Progress in 2010. Fattahmakes sure to note, too, that Sims raised $230,000 to challenge him for Congressthis year and didnt make it to filing day. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Fattah was a former state lawmaker and Philadelphia official who was elected to Congress in 1994. Ive helped tens of millions of people, Fattah said. The bill has national support from co-op and EOB advocates and members. 1601, and again in 2007 with H.R. In 2007 Fattah launched an unsuccessful bid for Mayor of Philadelphia. The quick rise and slow fall of Chaka Fattah: A career that started "I love my husband. Fattahs wife, Renee Chenault-Fattah, was implicated in the indictment against the congressman and nolonger sits at the anchor deskat NBC 10 where she worked for nearly 25years. The couple, married in 2001, have one daughter, Chandler Fattah. He touted the possibility that such a system would bring in so much money it would allow for greatly increased federal spending, saying the "excess funds" would "provide universal health care, support an equitable public school finance system, and fund economic development in urban and rural areas," in addition to extinguishing the national debt and eliminating all other federal taxes. Fattah spent two decades in Congress before losing the primary this year. Convicted Former Congressman Still Draws Estimated $1 Million Federal Lifetime Pension. 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. He was convicted on 23 counts of racketeering, fraud, and other corruption charges on June 21, 2016, and resigned two days later. 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. 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. Convicted Former Congressman Still Draws Estimated $1 Million Federal was indicted on federal corruption charges on Wednesday in connection with fraud around his unsuccessful 2007 campaign for mayor of Philadelphia. 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 #WasteOfTheDay is presented by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com. He's currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Democrat Rep. Dwight Evans now holds Fattah's seat in Congress. Thats an area where Evans whos successfully stumped for other candidates across the state has him beat. Fattah is married to his third wife, Renee Chenault-Fattah, a former Philadelphia television news broadcaster on WCAU-TV (NBC 10). Congressman Chaka Fattah and Associates Charged with Participating in Theres no better time to kick a candidate than when hes down. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. In addition, Fattah received bribes from Herbert Vederman, a former deputy mayor of Philadelphia who served as an aide to his mayoral campaign. While in the U.S. House of Representatives. 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. At press time, she'd raised about $10,000 of the $40,000 she needs. Still, as he faces years behind bars, Fattahsfighting to keep his seat inthe Democratic primary on April 26. He announced his immediate resignation from Congress two days later, on June 23. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. 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. Fattah received an F rating from the National Rifle Association and an A+ rating from the Coalition on Gun Violence and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence for his positions on gun control. Two of Fattah's political consultants and accomplices pleaded guilty and testified against him. Following this conference, his mother decided to change his name to Chaka Fattah, to acknowledge their African ethnicity. 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. The elder Fattah, 59, faces his own corruption trial before Bartle on May 2. These are the people that have been voting for me and praying for me for all these years.. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 64 years old? A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He says hes just fine garnering the support of the full Democratic city committee and the endorsement of unions likethe Service Employees International Union and AFSCME district council 33. 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. Fattah was the lead Democrat responsible for the funding of the United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney General. Fattah's third wife, Renee Chenault-Fattah, is a former Philadelphia television news broadcaster. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Updated at 3:25 p.m. Social Activism Brings a Name Change. The public expects their elected officials to act with honesty and integrity, U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia Zane Memeger said when charges were filed. said Fattah had rightly given up his ranking position. 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. A source speculated to The Philadelphia Inquirer that the decision could be tied to coronavirus concerns. He won a seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee, where he was able to steer millions of dollars in earmarks back home. Fattah supporters have raised questions about whether he received a fair trial, noting that one of the jurors was dismissed from the case. "Our family misses and loves him. And I don't want to do anything to jeopardize that," she told me. He was ordered to report to prison by Jan. 25, 2017. In May 1986, he received his master's degree in Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government. 1703, which attracted no cosponsors. With that said, endorsements can sometimes help win elections. He previously served in the Pennsylvania Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. But this time around, she intends to be an advocate forcauses about which she's passionate. Congressman Chaka Fattah Sr., 58, of Philadelphia; lobbyist Herbert Vederman, 69, of Palm Beach, Florida; Fattah's Congressional District Director Bonnie Bowser, 59, of Philadelphia; and Robert Brand, 69, of Philadelphia; and Karen Nicholas, 57, of Williamstown, New Jersey, were charged today in a 29-count indictment with participating in a He is stepfather to her daughter Cameron Chenault. Thats at least four more elections to win. Phillys hot podcast studio: How two longtime producers are growing the citys audio scene, Meet the 10 entrepreneurs vying set up shop inside Philly rec centers, Tax cuts, a new forensic lab, library service, hotspot help: Takeaways from Mayor Kenneys final city budget proposal, A real art project at Quinta Brunsons former school in West Philly mirrors the Abbott Elementary Mural Arts episode, Former Councilmember Bobby Henon sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for taking bribes, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. All Rights Reserved. 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. People got to be real careful about taking out a guy like that, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, a longtime Fattah supporter, said last June. In 1984, Fattah completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Discover Chaka Fattah's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Former Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., walks from the federal courthouse on Monday after his sentencing hearing in Philadelphia. Fattah was challenged by Republican nominee Robert Allen Mansfield, Jr. and Independent candidate and publisher of the Germantown Newspapers, Jim Foster. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. The bill died without attracting any co-sponsor. On December 12, 2016, Fattah was sentenced to 10 years in prison and began serving his term at the Federal Correctional Institution, McKean, Pennsylvania on January 25, 2017. PHILADELPHIA A federal judge has sentenced Former Pennsylvania Congressman Chaka Fattah to 10 years behind bars on charges of racketeering, fraud and money laundering. While a court of appeals in 2018 threw out some of the bribery from Fattahs conviction, a judge last year kept his 10-year sentence intact. 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. 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. The Congressman has an older son, Chaka Fattah, Jr., also a politician, who was convicted of felony bank and tax fraud in February 2016. 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. Fattah has 22 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, and another 12 in public service to rattle off when anyone asks why hes running for re-election to represent the second congressional district for a 12th term. On February 23, 2010, Fattah reintroduced the bill as the "Debt Free America Act," (H.R. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Fattah was the recipient of numerous honors and awards including 10 honorary doctorates and the University of Pennsylvanias Fels Institute of Government Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. In 2009, Fattah introduced a fourth bill to require having a study conducted, H.R. 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. WASHINGTON -- Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Penn.) As a member of Pennsylvanias state House Fattah wrote and passed into law Pennsylvanias Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP). In 2005, Fattah introduced the bill again with H.R. In Fattahs eyes, this people being wrongly accused happens all the time. 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. Innocent until proven guilty has, predictably, become the congressmans mantra. "I had talked to a coworker this past summer, but would much rather it be in your possession," she wrote, according to the indictment. So it was interesting to hear Chenault-Fattah spout facts and figures about Alzheimer's, which impacts about 5.7 million Americans. I wouldnt trade for a day some very well-meaning, well-intentioned person who might be at the pillar of the citys civic leadership for having working families stay with me.. This is my effort to get rid of public housing high rises in Philadelphia. Chenault-Fattah Reacts to Husband's Federal Indictment - NBC10 Philadelphia In August 2014, Fattah's longtime aide and close confidant Gregory Naylor pled guilty to federal charges in a complex money laundering scheme used to hide an illegal million-dollar loan that a candidate, unnamed in that indictment, received for his failed mayoral campaign in 2007. 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. 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. Fattah and the other co-conspirators submitted false billing statements to his mayoral campaign in order to keep the loan secret. / CBS/AP. 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. He received an MA from The John Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in 1984 and a Master of Governmental Administration (MGA) at the University of Pennsylvanias Fels Institute of State and Local Government in 1986. 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. If youve ever dreamed of living like a baron for less than a million bucks, nows your chance: the Fattahs loss is your gain. The jury convicted him of leading a five-person racketeering enterprise that included the loyal aides and political consultants who did his bidding, comingling campaign, nonprofit and government funds and using them as directed for Fattahs personal and political needs.