Paul Singer

USA TODAY

Longtime Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., was convicted in a federal court Tuesday of taking bribes and stealing charitable funds and federal money.

Fattah — who was defeated in a Democratic primary in April in his bid for a 12th term in Congress — was convicted of steering federal funds to non-profits he controlled and then skimming that money to pay off debts for his unsuccessful run for mayor of Philadelphia in 2007.

Fattah and several co-conspirators were named in a 29-count indictment filed last July. Fattah has proclaimed his innocence throughout the case. "I haven't committed any crime," he said in a court appearance last August. He told reporters, “I understand their desire to come after me ... but to take innocent people, to take people in my family and to smear their good name — that says a lot about character, so I think that's the most unfortunate part about this entire process."

Fattah's lawyer argued during the court case that it was his campaign consultants, acting without Fattah's knowledge, who concocted the scheme to move money around.

The congressman was also found guilty of having accepted bribes from one of his top supporters in exchange for lobbying the Obama administration to appoint the supporter to an ambassadorial post.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 4.

House rules state that a lawmaker who has been convicted should refrain from voting in committees or on the House floor until they have been cleared through an appeal or re-elected. But Fattah can remain in Congress unless the House votes to expel him.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest declined to comment on the facts of the case, but said it proved the independence of federal prosecutors.

“Congressman Fattah was a supporter of President Obama's presidential campaigns. That’s just a fact,” Earnest said. “Obviously, I think this is pretty good evidence that the Department of Justice is faithful to their mandate to pursue justice irrespective of political affiliations.”

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell said, "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."

Contributing: Gregory Korte

Rep. Fattah charged with conspiracy