Congressman Indicted in Racketeering Conspiracy

The Department of Justice indicted Pennsylvania Rep. Chaka Fattah and four associates for their alleged role in a conspiracy that involved misdirecting funds for Fattah's and other's political benefit.

In a statement today, the DOJ said they were charging Fattah, 58, his congressional district director, a lobbyist and two others with 29 counts of racketeering conspiracy and other crimes.

The DOJ detailed several allegations, including that Fattah redirected a political contribution for his own use, tried to repay a campaign consultant by arranging the award of federal grant funds, used campaign funds to repay his son's student loan debt.

The DOJ also alleged that the lawmaker accepted bribes in exchange for Fattah's efforts in securing an appointment to the U.S. Trade Commission for one of the others charged.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and IRS.

Fattah, a Democrat, represents parts of Philadelphia and is currently serving his 11th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He repudiated the charges in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

"I have never participated in any illegal activity or misappropriation of taxpayer dollars as an elected official," he wrote. This will not be a distraction from my services to the people that elected me, and I am confident that I will be cleared of charges."

Fattah confirmed that he will step down from his position as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee.

The House Ethics Committee has 30 days to open its own investigation into Fattah.