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.”
Maduro-linked fugitive nabbed over alleged scheme to cash in on Venezuelans’ basic needs
Pregnant mom just 4 days from giving birth among 8 killed in Pennsylvania massacre: reports
Trump and Rubio weigh firing Kimberly Guilfoyle as misconduct and donor bailout allegations mount
Quiet part out loud: Anti-Israel mobs want one state called ‘Palestine,’ erasing Israel
Toddler stabbed in face, suspect previously deemed unfit for trial in attacks on 2 children: report
Breaking: Viral Recording Appears to Place Talarico at Ohio Psych Facility During Long Absence Despite Denial
Polls come under scrutiny as Democrats take the lead in midterm elections
Hurricane Isaias’ devastating aftermath comes into focus in striking images
Rescue expert warns FlyDubai hijacking attempt shows US, allies are ‘playing checkers’ against terror threat
‘Fraud’: Rubio Puts Woke So-Called Human Rights Group on Blast for Stunning US-Israel Hypocrisy
WATCH: CDC director discusses US government response to Russian plague concerns: ‘We are protected’
NYT Writer Claims ‘Combustible’ Sophie Cunningham Is ‘Just Too Much’ to Be Caitlin Clark’s Teammate
Chick-fil-A Takes Stand Against AI Trend McDonald’s Embraced, Holds the Line on ‘Human to Human’ Service
T-Mobile, AT&T Share Prices Plummet as Musk Makes Move to Shake Up the Industry
Trump announces immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine
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.
