Fattah Jr. fires back, calls for probe of media leaks

Chaka Fattah Jr., has asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate leaks by an FBI agent to the media about the raid of his home and office.

Fattah, 32, was convicted last week of bank fraud and related offenses after a trial in which he represented himself. During the trial, FBI agent Richard Haag admitted on the stand that he had tipped off Philadelphia Inquirer education reporter Martha Woodall about the raid.

“The complaint is legitimate,” Fattah Jr. told Metro.

Fattah said news of the raid caused him to lose a $12,000 per month consulting gig at a Philadelphia charter school, and made it difficult to get a job. That the loss of income between the raid and the 29 months when he was formally charged meant that he could not afford to hire a high-priced lawyer to defend him, Fattah Jr. said in the letter.

Prosecutors said Fattah faces a minimum of four years in prison.

Fattah said he isn’t concerned that a complaint could anger prosecutors into seeking a more onerous sentence.

“The federal prosecutors on this matter, they are already going to seek a sentence and fine that will be out of the normal practice,” Fattah said. “One reason is, they don’t like me. Another reason is, I’m from a prominent family.”

Fattah is the son of U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, who was charged with offenses related to bribery and corruption.

Rep. Fattah has pleaded not guilty to those charges.