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Rendell: US Rep. Fattah should be jailed if charges true

Published  June 9, 2016 8:41am EDT
US
FOX 29 Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell says U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah should be convicted and jailed if the charges aired in a weekslong corruption trial are proved.

Rendell testified Wednesday in defense of a lobbyist on trial with Fattah.

Co-defendant Herbert Vederman once served as a deputy mayor under Rendell in Philadelphia. Vederman is accused of bribing Fattah in exchange for help seeking an ambassadorship.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Rendell said he thought prosecutors twisted the friendship between Fattah and Vederman and overreached in charging Vederman.

Fattah is accused of using federal grants and nonprofit funds to enrich family and friends. The 11-term congressman from Philadelphia has pleaded not guilty.

The defense rested Wednesday; the trial is adjourned until closing arguments Monday.

Both Rendell and Fattah are Democrats.