Dec 18, 2016 2 min read

An editorial opinion from the Delaware County Daily Times:

It’s time to make a little room for the latest bust in the Pennsylvania politics Hall of Shame. Longtime Philadelphia Democratic Congressman Chaka Fattah is the latest public servant found to be helping himself at least as much as the public, if not more.

Last week, Fattah, who has spent two decades representing some very poor Philadelphia neighborhoods, was sentenced to half that much time for lining his own pockets along the way. It’s one of the longest prison terms ever meted out to a member of Congress on corruption charges.

Fattah was convicted of a fairly common crime – theft. He ripped off thousands of dollars from taxpayers and charitable organizations. As a member of Congress, Fattah earned $174,000 a year. Apparently it was not enough. Fattah apparently yearned to belong to an upper echelon of movers and shakers, and he broke the law to do it.

Yes, he’s helped millions. And helped himself to thousands of dollars along the way. Prosecutors say he fleeced the nonprofit education group he set up to pay off his campaign debt from his unsuccessful run for mayor.

Now, in addition to looking at a decade behind bars, he still needs to fork over $600,000 in restitution.

The one-time Democratic power now joins a long line of Philly and Pennsylvania politicians – of both parties – caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Few, however, have flouted the system at every step in the process the way Fattah has.

The bucks stop here, Mr. Fattah. So does your freedom.