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| Former Congressman Chaka Fattah (newsworks photo) |
Aaron Moselle reports today in newsworks:
U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah is expected to become the first federal lawmaker to lose his or her federal pension benefits after being convicted on corruption charges while in office.
Fattah, who resigned Thursday, was found guilty of racketeering, conspiracy, bribery, money laundering and other offenses following a monthlong trial.
Under House ethics laws, some of the counts against Fattah could automatically bar him from collecting his pension because they’re tied to crimes connected to his official duties in Congress.
“Assuming those convictions stand,” said Peter Sepp, president of the National Taxpayers Union.
If Fattah enrolled in a pension program the first year he was elected, he’s entitled to roughly $55,000 a year. His salary was $174,000.
Fattah’s lawyers have not said whether the congressman will appeal Tuesday’s guilty verdict.
Fattah will keep his state pension, earned from his days serving in Harrisburg, first as a state representative, then as a state senator.
Fattah’s state plan pays out $4,862.16 a year, according to pension records obtained by NewsWorks.org.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has 10 days to select a date for a special election to fill Fattah’s seat through the end of the year.
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