Philadelphia

Federal Fraud Trial for Chaka Fattah Jr, Son of US Congressman, Begins in Philadelphia

The trial of a veteran Philadelphia congressman's son accused of federal bank and tax fraud got underway Thursday.

Federal prosecutors began picking a jury Thursday as they prepared to present their case against 33-year-old Chaka "Chip" Fattah Jr.

Authorities say he misspent loans and some of the nearly $1 million in education funds he snagged as a school management subcontractor living in a $600,000 Ritz-Carlton condo.

But Fattah says the government has built its case on a "deck of cards." He's representing himself.

His father, Chaka Fattah, is an 11-term Democratic congressman who's accused in an unrelated case of misusing federal grants and charitable donations. He has denied wrongdoing.

The elder Fattah -- who is married to news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah , who is currently on leave from NBC10 -- was charged in July with racketeering conspiracy, money laundering and other crimes.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us