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.”
Trump Officials May Soon Unleash Blacklisted Tankers to Cut Record Shipping Costs
New Jersey City’s Firearm Permitting Process Is so ‘Egregious’ the Trump DOJ Is Now Launching an Investigation: Report
Driver released without charges after pickup kills boy, 6, and man on Kansas soccer field
What to know about the Alberta referendum on leaving Canada
Photos show aftermath of riots as masked groups clash with police across France
Pro-Israel leader warns Democrats failing to condemn ‘vicious Jew haters’ in Congress
Slotkin wants GOP prosecutions to deter young people from Trump administration jobs
Trump says Netanyahu needs to be re-elected, or else US will have to ‘finish the job’ against Iran alone
Brother of possible OJ Simpson accomplice claims he returned with bloody hands on night of murders: report
Obama backs Ilhan Omar amid probe, accuses Trump admin of ‘appalling’ targeting in lengthy statement
Breaking: Airman Dies in Front of Tens of Thousands in Tragic Navy-UTSA Football Game Accident After Falling from Rafters
James Talarico’s adoptive father linked to X account mocking Christianity and women
Fauci Diary Entry Complains Trump Pushed Lab-Leak Theory ‘With No Evidence’
Cyberattack Turns Hundreds of Grocery Coolers Into Saunas – Dozens of US Military Stores Faced Similar, Unexplained Attack
Saudi National Caught by FBI Hiding Bug in Toilet Paper to Steal AI Secrets: Report
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.
