Fattah's Lawyers Ask To Quit Fraud Case Before May Trial
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal judge is set to decide if lawyers for indicted U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah can quit the racketeering case months before trial because of the congressman's apparent financial woes.
Fattah says he has paid them $100,000 since they signed on five months ago. Fattah says he's spent $300,000 overall fighting the lengthy FBI probe.
The indictment accuses the 11-term Philadelphia Democrat of using federal grants and charitable donations to repay an illegal $1 million campaign loan. He's also accused of funneling campaign money toward his son's student loan and accepting cash bribes.
Fattah has vowed to fight the charges at the May trial.
Current lawyers Kevin Mincey and Thomas Fitzpatrick have a flurry of motions pending that seek to dismiss much of the case.
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