A Muslim Pennsylvania state lawmaker has been charged for allegedly stealing half a million dollars from a charity she founded.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement Thursday that Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell (D) had been charged with numerous charges of theft, perjury, and tampering.
Johnson-Harrell had previously made headlines for being offended by a Christian prayer offered before a session of the Pennsylvania Legislature in March.
Shapiro said that she had stolen money from Motivations Education & Consultation Associates, or MECA, a charity meant to collect donations to help the homeless, seniors and children.
He alleged that she spent the money on “vacations, designer clothing, luxury car payments, real estate purchases, past-due mortgage payments, and other personal expenses.”
Haitian Church Members Attacked by Gang While Providing Shelter to Needy Neighbors
GOP faces brutal midterm headwinds as Republicans paint election as ‘competition with communism’
Key swing state voters to settle dueling Senate primary fights in crucial open-seat race
Texas education board approves controversial curriculum changes tying ‘radical Islam’ to 9/11 attacks
Climber dies in fatal fall on Colorado 14er south of Aspen
US forces sink narco-refueling station linked to Ecuadorian cartel in Pacific: SOUTHCOM
Trump Pre-empts Canada’s Retaliatory Tariffs by Telling Jet Maker Bombardier ‘No More Selling’ in US
‘You’re Fired’: Police Event Scraps Jelly Roll Performance in Response to Trump-Bashing on ‘Kimmel’
Watch: Stadium Erupts as Florida Brings Back Chant That Was Banned for Years Due to Imaginary ‘Racist’ History
Leftists Call for Murder of Liberal Financial YouTuber for Promoting Personal Responsibility to Overcome Debt
Jimmy John’s employee accused of opening fire on car, shooting 14-year-old girl in leg: police
Trump Admin Preparing Plan to Boost Nuclear Families by Paying Stay-at-Home Moms: Report
NTSB reveals if crew survived Amazon cargo jet disaster as it shares details about victims
Dem Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff for Gloria Steinem – Will Remain Lowered on Anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s Murder
King Charles Sends Pointed ‘Shot Across the Bows’ in Official Letter as Harry and Meghan Return to UK
Shapiro said in the statement that she had turned herself in, had confessed to the crimes, and had agreed to leave the Pennsylvania Legislature.
“Her theft knew no bounds,” he said.
Later, in a statement released through her lawyers to the Associated Press, she said she disputed some the charges.
“I am saddened and dismayed by the nature of the allegations brought against me today,” Johnson-Harrell said.
“I vigorously dispute many of these allegations, which generally pertain to before I took office and I intend to accept responsibility for any actions that were inappropriate,” she added.
Johnson-Harrell had founded MECA in 2006.
She had been the first Muslim representative elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature.
