Chaka Fattah Sets Up Legal Defense Fund

Have a spare five grand? Congressman, indicted in July on 29 counts in an alleged racketeering scheme, would like your support.

Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., speaks during a My Brother's Keeper town hall at the School of the Future in Philadelphia on May 7, 2015.

Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., speaks during a My Brother’s Keeper town hall at the School of the Future in Philadelphia on May 7, 2015.

Do you have a spare $25? How about five grand? If so, Chaka Fattah would like a word with you.

The Congressman, recently indicted in an alleged racketeering conspiracy, has launched a legal defense fund. Fattah is also collecting donations for his 2016 re-election campaign at the same site — an election he’s very likely to win.

“The Preservation of Public Service Legal Trust will ensure that I have the best people and resources necessary to defend my name and my good works in Congress on behalf of the citizens of the Second Congressional District,” the new Fattah site reads. Politic365 first reported on the legal defense fun.

Fattah reported $35,000 in legal bills and $57,000 in debts in his most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission. Politico reports his legal costs are expected to soar. The Inqurier says Fattah can accept donations of up to $5,000 from individuals and organizations.

Fattah and four associates were indicted on 29 counts on July 29th. Federal prosecutors allege the congressman illegally directed federal funds to pay off an illegal campaign loan, accepted a bribe in exchange for an ambassadorship and used campaign funds to pay off his son’s student loans. Chaka “Chip” Fattah Jr. was indicted in August 2014; his trial begins in October.

Attorneys told Law360 earlier this summer the Department of Justice will have a hard time winning a conviction. Democrats have not asked Fattah to resign his seat, though House majority leader Nancy Pelosi called the charges “deeply saddening.”

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