Fattah Denies Illegal Conduct

Chaka Fattah says he did nothing wrong.

The Philadelphia congressman gave The Inquirer a statement of innocence, apparently in lieu of an interview, on Wednesday.

Amid a federal corruption investigation that has snared a longtime top adviser, Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Pa.) said Wednesday that he had “never engaged in any illegal conduct” during his long political career.

“I would never do anything to embarrass my family or my constituents,” Fattah said in a statement provided by his office in response to an interview request from The Inquirer.

Fattah has been thought to face trouble since last week, when his longtime friend and aide Gregory Naylor pleaded guilty to an illegal campaign finance scheme; the plea memo did not specifically name Fattah — and no charges have been brought against the congressman so far — but the scheme was evidently enacted during Fattah’s 2007 run for mayor.

Previously: Will Michael Nutter Replace Chaka Fattah in Congress?
Previously: Chaka Fattah Jr. Talks Gambling, His Congressman Dad, the IRS
Previously: Fattah in Hot Seat After Aide’s Guilty Plea
Previously: Former Aide to Chaka Fattah Admits Role in Diverting Campaign Funds