PA congressman's son charged by feds in 23-count indictment

A 23-count federal indictment was unsealed Tuesday charging Chaka Fattah Jr. in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud banks and the IRS, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Zane David Memeger announced Tuesday.

Fattah Jr., 31, of Philadelphia is the son of United States Congressman Chaka Fattah who represents a portion of Philadelphia and all of Lower Merion Township.

The indictment alleges that between 2005 and 2012 Fattah made numerous false statements to banks in order to obtain loans. Prosecutors say that Fattah also made false statements to the Small Business Administration in order to settle loans for less than what he owed. It is also alleged by prosecutors that Fattah stole from the Philadelphia School District and failed to pay some federal tax obligations.

It is alleged that the funds Fattah received were then used for pay for personal expenses including car payments, gambling debts, restaurant and club expenses, utilities, clothing, electronics, retail purchases, charitable donations, jewelry, according to prosecutors.

It is also alleged that Fattah filed false income tax returns in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009. It is also alleged that he did not pay a federal income tax on about $51,000 on an income in excess of $150,000 in 2010.

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