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.”
Former USCIS official, accomplice charged in alleged $960K citizenship bribery scheme
Dramatic video captures floodwaters bursting through glass doors of college students’ home
Trump appears to debut darker hair, sparking online buzz
Breaking: Deadly Amazon Cargo Plane Crash at Miami Airport Leaves 5 Dead
Amy Acton campaign says armed individual lunged at Ohio governor candidate, injuring multiple people
Hasan Piker brushes off Dems who see him as a liability, names his ’28 choice
Stray bullet from nearby lounge fight kills Frito-Lay worker inside Sam’s Club
After ‘Lake America,’ Trump suggests a new name for the state of New Mexico
Amazon cargo plane overruns Miami airport runway, striking ‘multiple’ vehicles and catching fire
Trump admin’s mail-in ballot fight lands back at Supreme Court
Hikers stranded on Mount Shasta after relying on AI to plan trip, sheriff says
Sanders pushes ‘death penalty’ for crucial US industry that could give advantage to foreign adversaries
Missouri foster mom accused of trading teen for monkey avoids prison
Mamdani under fire after symbolic 9/11 pen goes to former al Qaeda defense lawyer
Tragedy Shuts Down Christian Music Festival: Pastor Killed By High Winds and Collapsing Sign
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.
