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.”
Thomas Paine Set America Afire with ‘Common Sense’ 250 Years Ago: Pamphlet Made Case for Revolutionary War
USDA immediately suspends all federal funding to Minnesota amid fraud investigation
‘Jeopardy!’ Host Ken Jennings Wants Trump Administration Jailed, Vows to Vote for Candidate Who Will ‘Prosecute’
Fox News Politics Newsletter: AOC accuses Vance of believing ‘American people should be assassinated’
Tim Walz Fumes About ‘Accountability’ in Shooting Death of Renee Good – He Should Start by Looking in a Mirror
New top Democrat on House CCP committee took cash from China-linked donors
DC pipe bomb defendant pleads not guilty to federal charges
Watch: Top Chicago Cop Blasts Dem, Media Narrative on Renee Good Shooting, Comes to Defense of ICE Agents Being Attacked with Cars
Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Ohio dentist murders, Kohberger sister’s warning, ‘Torso Killer’ confession
Trump pauses oil exec summit to peek at White House ballroom’s progress
Johnson meets with Muslim man who confronted, disarmed Bondi Beach attacker
Iranian officials have few options if they flee an overthrown regime
WATCH: Bodycam for Ohio dentist murders shows police went to wrong home before couple was found dead
Walz Rages That ICE Won’t Share Shooting Evidence With Sanctuary City Minneapolis – Which Outright Refuses to Cooperate With ICE
House Republicans defend ICE agent in fatal shooting, say use of force was justified
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.
