Jury continues delibrations in Fattah corruption case

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The jury in the Chakah Fattah corruption trial was excused Monday evening after the second full day of deliberations.

The jury of nine women and three men has not even been out to ask questions or seek any clarification on the 29-count list of charges against the 11-term congressman and his four codefendants.

Judge Harvey Bartle III has ordered the lawyers to remain on the 16th floor of the federal courthouse so there is no lengthy delay on announcing a verdict.

The 59-year-old Fattah sat patiently at the defense table Monday. His legal team was nearby along with co-defendant Robert Brand accused of helping Fattah launder money.

The government says hundreds of thousands of dollars was pilfered through racketeering, bribery, conspiracy, mail fraud and bank fraud, money laundering and falsifying records.

The government says it was taken from federal grant money, campaign contributions, and charitable donations to pay off campaign debts and to otherwise benefit Fattah and his family and friends.

Fattah, who lost a reelection bid in the spring primary, says he is not guilty and had no idea what former political operatives of his were up to.

There is still no official word on why one juror was dismissed on Friday. He was escorted from the building.

The jurors return deliberating Tuesday morning.