Or maybe it is me. I hold African-AmeriKan politicians to a higher standard. I expect the white ma$ters to $tink of corruption. I'm always thoroughly disappointed when I find it is rife within the political and religious congregations (the effects of power, no doubt).
"US representative from Pa. charged with corruption; Accused of using federal grants for personal gain" by Maryclaire Dale Associated Press July 30, 2015
PHILADELPHIA — US Representative Chaka Fattah paid off a campaign loan with charitable donations and federal grants, funneled campaign money to pay down his son’s student loan debt, and disguised a lobbyist’s bribe as payment for a car he never sold, prosecutors said Wednesday in announcing a racketeering indictment against the congressman.
The 11th-term Democrat led a conspiracy that engaged in bribery, fraud, money laundering, and other crimes, and netted him hundreds of thousands of dollars, federal investigators said.
And a Democrat, too?
The 29-count indictment describes four distinct schemes, two involving efforts to pay down debt from Fattah’s failed 2007 mayoral bid in Philadelphia.
The Justice Department charges that Fattah used federal grants and donations to his educational foundation to pay back part of a wealthy campaign supporter’s $1 million loan and that he helped arrange a $15 million federal grant for a nonexistent nonprofit in lieu of a $130,000 payment to a political consultant toward the campaign debt.
Fattah vowed to remain in office and fight the charges but stepped down from his leadership post as the top Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees spending for Commerce, Justice, Science, and related agencies.
‘‘This isn’t Deflategate,’’ Fattah said of the years-long investigation. ‘‘I’ve never been involved in wrongdoing, any unlawful activity, [or] any misappropriation of federal funds.’’
No, it's a hell of a lot worse!!!
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, said in a statement the charges ‘‘are deeply saddening’’ but said she would not ask him to step down.
‘‘Congressman Fattah has been a tireless and effective advocate for America’s hard-working families across more than 20 years of distinguished service in the House,’’ Pelosi said.
Forget about the feathering of the nest while being ineffectual (because of leader$hip like Pelosi!).
Fattah, 58, was not arrested and no court date was set for his initial appearance.
The case had already ensnared two former aides, who have pleaded guilty to charges linked to Fattah’s campaign debt, and his son, who awaits trial on an overlapping case that includes charges he misspent $930,000 in federal education funding.
Fattah said that ‘‘subpoenas have been flying’’ around him for eight years as the FBI, IRS, and Justice Department investigated. He nonetheless maintained a busy public schedule and side-by-side with top Democrats, catching a ride to a Philadelphia event earlier this month with President Obama on Air Force One.
Did he go to the Big Mass?
In the indictment, prosecutors said the Democrat and his district director, Bonnie Bowser, passed mayoral and congressional campaign funds through a political consulting company to make 34 student loan payments on behalf of his son totaling $23,000.
To cover up the transactions, there was a scheme to portray an $18,000 bribe from Florida lobbyist Herbert Vederman as payment for a car sale, US Attorney Zane Memeger said. Vederman, a former deputy Philadelphia mayor, in exchange sought an ambassadorship or a seat on the US Trade Commission, the prosecutor said. FBI agents found the car in the garage at Fattah’s Philadelphia home 26 months after the supposed sale, the indictment said.
Karen Nicholas, a former member of Fattah’s congressional staff and the CEO of his Educational Advancement Alliance, obtained $50,000 in federal grants for a higher education conference that never took place, authorities said. Fattah was supposed to be the keynote speaker.
Your tax money hard at work. Now excuse them as they go pass food stamp cuts!
With the Pope gone I can now say it: Good-effin'-Christ!
Instead, they said, Nicholas used the money to pay a political consultant, an attorney, and several checks to herself from the charity’s operating account.
Bowser, Vederman, Nicholas, and Philadelphia businessman Robert Brand have also been charged.
‘‘The public does not expect their elected officials to misuse campaign funds, misappropriate government funds, accept bribes, or commit bank fraud,’’ Memeger said at a morning news conference. ‘‘These types of criminal acts betray the public trust and undermine faith in government.’’
Actually, we do! It seems to be $tandard operating procedure in this fetid, rank, hulking carcass called AmeriKa these days.
As for the public trust and faith in government, gone, and never coming back without a complete epiphany and 180-degree about face and they can't do that because they the rage would really skyrocket.
Fattah is the second sitting federal lawmaker to be indicted this year on corruption charges. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, also a Democrat, was indicted on federal corruption charges less than four months ago.
Now that Bob is against the Iran deal the diddling of adolescent Dominican kids has receded as the wheels of JU$tUS have slowed.
In January, New York Republican Michael Grimm resigned his seat after his indictment last year.
That's a Grimm way to end it.
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Was a one-day wonder!
And then there is Denny Hastert (quick, hide it)!
