PENNSYLVANIA RECORD

A Delaware County gaming hall last week filed suit against an area congressman’s son,

alleging the man bounced $16,000 worth of checks he owed to the casino to pay down a line of credit.

Attorneys with the Bethlehem, Pa. law firm of Amato & Lessa filed the civil action Sept. 10 at Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Harrah’s Chester Downs Management Co., doing business as Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack.

The lawsuit claims that defendant Chaka Fattah, Jr., the son of U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, a Philadelphia Democrat, sought $16,000 of credit for use at the plaintiff’s establishment back on April 3, 2011.

The line of credit was subsequently extended to Fattah, Jr.

In mid June of last year, Fattah, Jr. delivered to the casino two checks in the amount of $16,000, which were eventually taken to Citizens Bank by casino representatives, the lawsuit states.

The complaint, however, alleges that the checks bounced, leaving the amount due unpaid.

In addition to the $16,000, the lawsuit states that as of May 30 of this year, Fattah, Jr., owes the casino $917.92 in interest.

“In accordance with the terms of the aforesaid Checks, Defendant further agreed to pay Plaintiff’s reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in the collection of any balance due Plaintiff,” the complaint states. “Plaintiff has made demand against Defendant for the aforesaid sum, but Defendant failed or refused to pay the same or any part thereof.”

In all, the casino seeks payment of $16,917.92.

In his credit application to the casino, which was attached as an exhibit to the lawsuit, Fattah, Jr. marked off that he makes $300,000 a year in income, and currently has more than $200,000 in assets.

According to local media reports, Fattah, Jr.’s home and Philadelphia office were raided by FBI agents back in February relating to a consulting contract Fattah, Jr., had with the operator of alternative schools in the city.

The Philadelphia Inquirer recently reported that the United Bank of Philadelphia filed suit against Fattah, Jr. shortly after the FBI raids relating to a loan secured by the $450,000 consulting contract that 259 Strategies LLC, Fattah, Jr.’s company, had with Delaware Valley High School, which runs two alternative schools for the Philadelphia School District.

FBI and U.S. Treasury Department agents had served search warrants on April 30 for Fattah, Jr.’s, records, the newspaper had previously reported.

The authorities were looking into why Fattah, Jr.’s company was paid the $450,000.

Chaka Fattah, Sr., the defendant’s father, is in his ninth term representing Pennsylvania’s 2^nd Congressional District.

 

The case ID number is 120900909.