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Pennsylvania congressman convicted in racketeering case

FILE - In this June 30, 2011, file photo, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., speaks during a Democratic National Committee event in Philadelphia. A federal jury in Philadelphia convicted Fattah on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, of racketeering, fraud, money laundering and other counts in a case that largely centered on efforts to repay an illegal $1 million campaign loan. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) FILE - In this June 30, 2011, file photo, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., speaks during a Democratic National Committee event in Philadelphia. A federal jury in Philadelphia convicted Fattah on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, of racketeering, fraud, money laundering and other counts in a case that largely centered on efforts to repay an illegal $1 million campaign loan. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

By Associated Press June 21, 2016 3 min read

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – A veteran Pennsylvania congressman was convicted Tuesday in a racketeering case that largely centered on various efforts to repay an illegal $1 million campaign loan.

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah was found guilty of all counts against him, including racketeering, fraud and money laundering. His lawyers had argued that the schemes were engineered without Fattah’s knowledge by two political consultants who pleaded guilty in the case.

The 59-year-old Democrat had been in Congress since 1995 and served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. But he lost the April primary and his bid for his 12th term. His current term ends in December.

Fattah had little reaction to the verdict, but he kept a smile on his face as he conferred with his lawyers afterward.

He will remain free on bail. A judge set sentencing for Oct. 4.