Rep. Chaka Fattah (Penn.) and four of his associates were charged with 29 counts of corruption on Wednesday morning for a racketeering conspiracy related to the Democrat's failed 2007 bid to become mayor of Philadelphia. Per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Fattah and his associates were involved in "several schemes that were intended to further the political and financial interests" of each of them.
The government's charges include bribery, the illegal use of campaign contributions, and theft of charitable funds, NPR reports. According to the indictment, Fattah borrowed $1 million from a supporter, but only paid back $400,000 — and put the rest of the tab on the back of a nonprofit he and his associates controlled. Fattah also allegedly falsified records in efforts to conceal the payment.
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