SCOTUS Ruling On Corruption Cases Raises Local Questions About Chaka Fattah Case
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturns former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell's corruption conviction has implications in how the defense mounts an appeal on behalf of former Congressman Chaka Fattah, and his co-defendants. They were convicted last week in a wide-ranging corruption scheme.
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Defense lawyer Dennis Cogan, who had no role in the Fattah case, said even though the high court's ruling centered on bribery charges, "there could have been spillover prejudice" on the other racketeering charges in the Fattah trial.
"It could have a major effect, and even result in a reversal, certainly with respect to Vederman," Cogan said.
Herbert Vederman, one of Fattah's co-defendants, was convicted on several charges, including bribery, for giving Fattah money in exchange for Fattah's support in seeking appointment to an ambassadorship.
Cogan, who represented former State Senator Vince Fumo at his corruption trial, said based on the McDonnell ruling, Vederman should not have been charged, and certainly not convicted.
Cogan questioned the timeline of the Fattah trial, since everyone - federal prosecutors and defense counsel - anticipated the Supreme Court ruling on the McDonnell matter, which he said will have an impact on federal corruption laws. The ruling narrows the definition of what sort of conduct serves as the basis of a corruption prosecution, and Cogan said it will make it more difficult for the government to prove corruption.
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Noah Bookbinder of the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, said "the Supreme Court essentially just told elected officials that they are free to sell access to their office to the highest bidder."
"Public officials will have new ways to enrich themselves, without being held accountable," Bookbinder said.
However, Bookbinder said the corruption was so widespread in the Fattah case, the high court's narrow ruling will have little impact on the appeal by Fattah and four co-defendants.
