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.”
Judge allows ‘homewrecker’ lawsuit against former Sen Kyrsten Sinema to move forward
Trump weighs in on Lindsay Clancy murder trial dubbed ‘kangaroo court’ by GOP leaders
Here Comes the Bride – In Water Nearly Up to Her Waist
Arizona voter-law fight reaches SCOTUS as election groups warn ‘absurd’ consequence could ensue
Dunkin’ Opened a Drive-Thru Lane Just for Dogs — And It Was Pure Joy
Well-connected Dem operative learns fate after FBI busts him in child sex abuse sting
California McDonald’s Shootout Turns Deadly as Police Arrive: Turns Out the Perpetrator Was an Employee
How Stepdad Firefighter Learned of 911 Call in Most Painful Way Possible
Ex-Fetterman staffers promise more damaging details after blistering report: ‘Tip of the iceberg’
NJ mayor demands sanctuary policy rollback after baby killed in crash allegedly involving illegal immigrant
Patrick Clancy speaks out after hung jury in Lindsay Clancy case, addresses prospect of another trial
‘Black widow’ allegedly attempted to murder romantic partner, 69, she met online
Armed Florida Owner Shows What ‘Stand Your Ground’ Means as Intruder Attempts to Break Inside
Scientists Discover New Tick-Borne Virus After Spread of Mystery Illness
Squatter nightmare turns DC apartment building into ‘drug haven’ as legal battle drags on: ‘There’s no help’
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.
