In face of uproar, Fattah resigns effective immediately

Yesterday, Fattah said in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan that he planned to quit on October 3rd, one day before his sentencing hearing.

“In my previous letter I indicated a later resignation date in order to provide for an orderly transition of my office after 21 years of service in the House”, Fattah continued. He also said he hoped Democratic leaders would join him in calling for Fattah’s immediate resignation. On Wednesday, Fattah had offered his resignation effective October 3.

“None of my success in the Congress would have been possible without the bipartisan support of my colleagues; the hard and dedicated work of my staff; the votes of the citizens of the Second Congressional District; and the strong support of my family”, Fattah said in his letter to Ryan.

Joseph DeFelice, chairman of the Philly GOP, blasted Fattah’s decision to remain in office for months.

Authorities say Fattah and his associates used numerous schemes to misuse hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The veteran Pennsylvania congressman was convicted Tuesday in a case related to his efforts to repay an illegal $1 million campaign loan related to his unsuccessful 2007 mayoral bid.

Herbert Vederman was also convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, bank fraud, making false statements to the Credit Union Mortgage Association, falsification of records, and two counts of money laundering. Federal benefits managers did not immediately respond to questions about his retirement benefits, but many crimes of which Fattah was convicted this week are among those listed in the federal law outlining when members of Congress must forfeit pensions after convictions for corruption-related crimes. “Today’s convictions should send a message that the Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute political corruption wherever it takes place, and uphold the principles of honesty and integrity that are the foundation of our government”.