Rep. Fattah out of cash for criminal case; lawyers want out

(Philadelphia) — U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah of Philadelphia says he can no longer pay the firm representing him in a federal racketeering case and will seek new counsel.

A judge has scheduled a hearing Tuesday to decide if Fattah’s lawyers can quit the case after five months.

The veteran Pennsylvania Democrat is accused of using federal grants and charitable donations to repay an illegal $1 million campaign loan, and funneling campaign money toward his son’s student loan.

Fattah says he has spent $300,000 on the lengthy probe, and paid $100,000 to the firm of Kevin Mincey and Thomas Fitzpatrick. But he says they can’t stay on the case without additional payments.

Mincey declined to comment Thursday. A judge has denied their bid to keep the issue under seal.

Fattah’s trial is set to start May 2.

An earlier story is below:

Lawyers defending U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah on federal racketeering charges in Philadelphia have asked a judge to let them quit the case.

The lawyers won’t say why they want to withdraw.

But a judge has summoned the Pennsylvania Democrat to a hearing on the matter Tuesday. And U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle has refused to keep the matter sealed.

The July indictment accuses Fattah of using federal grants and charitable donations to repay an illegal $1 million campaign loan. He is also accused of funneling campaign money toward his son’s student loan.

The veteran congressman has previously solicited donations for his legal costs.

Defense lawyer Kevin Mincey says he can’t comment Thursday on the motion to withdraw. The request follows a flurry of defense motions filed this month.