The Latest: Ex-US Rep. Fattah loses bid to cut prison term

By The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — The Latest on Congressman Corruption (all times local):

3:40 p.m.

A longtime Pennsylvania congressman has lost his bid to have his 10-year prison term for corruption reduced after four counts were tossed on appeal.

Philadelphia Democrat Chaka Fattah is two-and-a-half years into a prison term handed down for misusing more than $600,000 in federal grants and charitable funds.

The 62-year-old Fattah had spent two decades in Congress before a failed 2007 bid for Philadelphia mayor set the financial crimes in motion.

Fattah was in court Friday in a green prison jumpsuit. He said he’s “deeply sorry” for his mistakes and that he understands he’s “let people down” and “hurt people.”

Fattah’s lawyers asked the judge to cut the 2016 sentence based on the reduced guideline range. But federal prosecutors said the 10-year minimum should still apply on more than a dozen remaining counts. ?

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6 a.m.

A longtime Pennsylvania congressman serving a 10-year prison term will ask a judge Friday to reduce his sentence after four bribery and money laundering counts were thrown out on appeal.

But federal prosecutors say 62-year-old Chaka Fattah should still serve 10 years on the remaining corruption counts.

The Philadelphia Democrat has served about two-and-a-half years in prison after a jury found he misused $600,000 in federal grants and non-profit funds on personal and campaign expenses. Four others were also convicted.

Fattah spent two decades in Congress and served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee before a failed 2007 bid for Philadelphia mayor.

Defence lawyers say in court papers filed this month that Fattah has taught public speaking to other inmates and hopes to start a neuroscience firm when he leaves prison.

The Associated Press

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