Here's a List of All the Congressional Democrats Who've Been Charged With a Crime
TTN
- 01/31/2019 12:00 AM
- Source: AAN
- by: AAN Staff
It's depressingly common for lawmakers to continue serving while facing criminal charges.
And why should they stop? Congressional leaders rarely take action to boot troublemakers off Capitol Hill.
Conservatives, at least, will be up in arms over these Members of Congress who've served amid criminal charges.
A few have faced justice. But many haven't – and one is still serving. Find out what they're all up to today and spread the word!
1.) Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
- 01/31/2019 12:00 AM
- Source: AAN
- by: AAN Staff
Since his federal corruption case ended in a mistrial, Sen. Menedez continues to serve despite barely escaping conviction on multiple felony charges.
Prosecutors alleged he took more than $1 million in donations to help a close friend get visas for three of his girlfriends.
Even the New York Times' editorial board pleaded for Menendez to resign.
SEE VIDEO
https://americanactionnews.com/articles/1-sen-bob-menendez-d-nj
2.) Ex-Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA)
- 01/31/2019 12:00 AM
- Source: AAN
- by: AAN Staff
Prosecutors charged Fattah, one of Philidelphia's most powerful political bosses on federal racketeering, fraud, and other corruption charges in July 2015, in a blow to one of America's last remaining big-city political machines.
The congressman continued to serve until December 12, 2016 – two days after a jury convicted him on 23 counts.
Fattah, 62, received a 10-year prison sentence.
SEE VIDEO:
https://americanactionnews.com/articles/2-ex-rep-chaka-fattah-d-pa
3.) Ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY)
- 01/31/2019 12:00 AM
- Source: AAN
- by: AAN Staff
A New York judge sentenced Weiner – a disgraced congressman and ex-husband of Hillary Clinton confidant Huma Abedin – to 21-months in prison after pleading guilty to sending sexually explicit photos of himself to a teenage girl.
For the rest of his life, Weiner will be a registered sex offender.
SEE VIDEO
https://americanactionnews.com/articles/3-ex-rep-anthony-weiner-d-ny
4.) Ex-Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL)
- Source: American Action News
After representing parts of Jacksonville for 24 years, a jury convicted Congresswoman Brown of taking money meant for charity.
Brown is currently serving five years in federal prison for using her bogus charity as a slush fund to fill her coffers.
SEE VIDEO
https://americanactionnews.com/articles/4-ex-rep-corrine-brown-d-fl
5.) Ex-Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL)
- 01/31/2019 12:00 AM
- Source: AAN
- by: AAN Staff
During the Obama years, the son of activist Jesse Jackson became a political force in his own right.
However, as is often the case in politics, pride comes before the fall.
Authorities investigated Jackson amid his 2012 reelection for glaring financial improprieties. The embattled congressman and onetime rising star resigned on November 21.
On February 20, 2013, he pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.
SEE VIDEO
https://americanactionnews.com/articles/5-ex-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-d-il
6.) Ex-Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA)
- 01/31/2019 12:00 AM
- Source: AAN
- by: AAN Staff
Richardson represented California's 37th congressional district until 2013, after losing reelection. An ethics controversy during the 2012 cycle likely made her defeat inevitable.
In August 2012, the House Ethics Committee found Richardson guilty on seven counts of violating congressional rules by all but forcing her staff to campaign for her and help obstruct the Ethics Committee's investigation by destroying evidence and tampering with witness testimony.
SEE VIDEO
https://americanactionnews.com/articles/6-ex-rep-laura-richardson-d-ca
7.) Ex-Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-LA)
- 01/31/2019 12:00 AM
- Source: AAN
- by: AAN Staff
New Orleans area Congressman William Jefferson found himself in legal jeopardy when FBI agents raided his home on suspicion of bribery and found $90,000 in cash in his freezer.
Jefferson won reelection in 2006 but lost – to Republican Joseph Cao – in 2008.
After a corruption trial found him guilty of 11 counts of bribery, Jefferson received a 13-year prison sentence, the longest ever given to a congressman.
However, Jefferson's lawyers appealed his sentencing after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled favorably in McDonnell v. United States, a related bribery case, involving former Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA).
After five years and five months in federal prison, a judge reduced Jefferson's sentence to time served.
SEE VIDEO
https://americanactionnews.com/articles/7-ex-rep-william-j-jefferson-d-la
8.) Ex-Rep. Frank Ballance (D-NC)
- 01/31/2019 12:00 AM
- Source: AAN
- by: AAN Staff
Scrumshus [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
Ballance pled guilty to federal charges of money laundering and mail fraud. In October 2005, he received a four-year prison sentenced followed by two-years of supervised release.
SEE VIDEO
https://americanactionnews.com/articles/8-ex-rep-frank-ballance-d-nc
9.) Ex-Rep. Jim Traficant (D-OH)
- 01/31/2019 12:00 AM
- Source: AAN
- by: AAN Staff
In 2002, this disheveled Ohio congressman became one of only 20 members of Congress to ever face expulsion, the most serious form of disciplinary action.
Traficant's expulsion came following his conviction on taking bribes, tax evasion, racketeering, and forcing aides to perform menial labor.
He received an eight-year sentence.
SEE VIDEO
https://americanactionnews.com/articles/9-ex-rep-jim-traficant-d-oh