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.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and AG Keith Ellison Set to Testify Before Congress About Massive Fraud Allegations
Conservative group blasts LinkedIn for removing pro-ICE post, labeling it ‘hateful’
Famed filmmaker presses Democrats to put ‘citizen-led’ presidential primary first
He’s Not Joking: Jim Acosta Claims Don Lemon Was Arrested Because He’s Black
LAPD arrests violent agitators after protests erupt outside federal detention center in Los Angeles
Government shuts down again after Democrats revolt over DHS funding
Left-wing activists storming synagogue use knee pads, adult diaper to mock Dem congressman over ICE vote
ICE lodges detainer for illegal immigrant accused of sexually assaulting teen
US approves massive arms sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia for more than $15 billion amid Middle East tensions
Letitia James fires attorney consumer fraud over criticism of pediatric ‘gender care’
Saudis won’t let the US use its bases or airspace for an attack on Iran, senior Gulf official reveals
DOJ Releases Massive Trove of Epstein Files Documents, Statement on Trump Involvement
Rep Jeffries escalates rhetoric against Noem, says DHS leader should be ‘put on ice permanently’
Coast Guard searching for survivors after commercial fishing boat sinks off Massachusetts; 1 body recovered
‘Opening Pandora’s Box’: Mike Johnson backs Trump after warning White House about deal with Democrats
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.
