WASHINGTON (WPVI) -- Convicted ex-congressman Chaka Fattah of Philadelphia has been cleared of four of 22 counts of his corruption case based on post-trial motions.
Fattah was convicted in June of orchestrating several fraud schemes to raise money for his campaign and personal spending. Several aides and advisers were also convicted.
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His lawyers argued that a Supreme Court decision later narrowed the definition of bribery.
However, U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle found that Fattah took "extraordinary" steps to seek an ambassadorship for a friend who had given him money, even hand-delivering a letter to President Barack Obama.
But the judge agreed in Thursday's ruling to acquit Fattah of four bank and mail fraud counts.
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The 11-term Democrat does not yet have a sentencing date.
Defense lawyers did not immediately return messages seeking comment.