i'm gonna take on chaka fattah. i want to go to congress."e already has raised $330,000 in two months. he has $280,000 on hand, so looking at half a million. there are other people in the race, notably state rep brian sims. but is evans essentially the key person in this primary at this point? and what are his chances? fattah is still incredibly popular in his district. >> i think fattah will win ultimately. i think that he is, despite all the stuff that's gone on. and i think the other two may in some way split their vote. evans has raised a lot of money. jim kenney -- he supported him early on. it's a fascinating dynamic, but i think people know chaka fattah over "x" number of years, and i think there will be a, "i've been railroaded here." there'll be those arguments, and i think he does well. >> yeah, philadelphians are notoriously loyal to elected leaders, especially who bring home the bacon for their constituency, and chaka fattah, for 20 years, despite what you may say about the charges, indictment, et cetera, has a strong loyalty with

and congressman chaka fattah facing federal fraud charges. now his lawyers want out. what we learned about the congressman's legal and financial troubles next on "nbc 10 news" at 5:00. >>> here are some of the stories making headlines at 5:00. new jersey will assume control of atlantic city. governor christie made the announcement today along side senate president steve sweeney and mayor don guardian. a takeover bill that was introduced in the legislature will be amended to include a financial assistance package the governor had previously vetoed. the mayor who had initially opposed the takeover said he would accept the state's help. ♪ >> a deportation protest was held in the city's spring garden section a. group of clergy and immigrant families rallied outside the customs enforcement headquarters. they hand delivered a petition signed by 275 pennsylvania clergy members. the group is protesting the obama administration's deportation raids, they say the raids target central american families in pennsylvania and around the country. >>> also tonight, attorneys for a cong

were on lock down but that has since been lifted. >>> back here a federal judge told congressman, chaka fattah rethink his decision on focusing on campaign fundraising and instead raise money for his legal defense. he was in court for a hearing over his legal defense team. fattah's attorneys asked the judge to dismiss them from representing the congressman because they say they were not getting paid. the judge did not make an official ruling and questioned why other lawyers with take the case and risk not getting paid themselves. the judge does not want to delay the case. >>> we have a brand new first look at the sixers training complex under construction in camden, the sixers releasing the first images of the facility set to open this year. the team says the new space located near the camden aquarium will be the largest training complex in the entire nba, they call it their crown jewel and it features things like a roof deck, hydro therapy rooms and a player restaurant and a lot more. and while they are looking for a naming rights partner, the sixers say they are very much looking forward to

. >>> a federal judge told congressman, chaka fattah today to change his decision on campaign fun raising and instead raise money for his legal defense. he and four others are facing corruption charges but fattah's attorneys are asking them to dismiss them from representing the congressman because they say they are not getting paid and the judge heard the request and did not make an official ruling but requested why other lawyer was take the case and not get paid themselves. the judge said today he does not want to delay the case. >>> later today, leaders in atlantic city are considering asking the city for permission to declare bankruptcy. the resort town is unable to climb out of trouble and last week governor christie denied an aid package. he and the atlantic city counsel scheduled an emergency meeting at 4:00 this afternoon. even if they agree to file for bankruptcy they have to get approval from the state. >>> we are just six week as way from the iowa caucuses, it shows the frontrunners from both parties in competitive races. >> reporter: good afternoon dts did the is lasering in on

. >> congressman chaka fattah's lawyers ordered to continue to representing him in a criminal case. even though he's stopped paying them. the judge said the lawyers don't stay with the case, he fears the trial could be delayed. it's scheduled to begin in early may. fattah's lawyers hasn't paid them in months and they want to quit. fattah's accused of bribery and money laundering. the congressman is married to renee chenault-fattah. renee is on leave from the station. >>> next, on "nbc 10 news at 6:00," live at the white house. nbc 10 is the only local media invited to do a sit-down interview with president obama. jim rosenfield joins us live next with what the president told him. >>> first a live look outside from skyforce 10 over the river front ice rink in wilmington. you're watching "nbc 10 news at 6:00." hey gus! good to see you again! the usual? veggie burger with the works. see ya. sounds good matt! thanks! gus, the second most famous groundhog in pennsylvania! that's me. and this is for you! gus bucks ! the new instant game from the pennsylvania lottery- with top prizes of a

. >>> a federal judge today told philadelphia congressman, chaka fattah, to rethink his focus on raising money for his re-election campaign and instead raise money for his legal defense. fattah was back in court this morning, his former attorneys asked the judge to dismiss them from the corruption case because they say they are not being paid. and the judge heard the request but did not make an official rulings. fattah is accused of taking bribes and misusing government grants. he maintains his innocence and should be free to focus on the primary election. the fraud trial against fattah and four others is set to begin on may 2nd. >>> tomorrow marks one full year since a partial roof collapse injured shoppers at at lululemon store in philadelphia. and now a lawsuit against the neighboring building's owners. investigators say that bricks from the building next store fell off and crashed through the roof at lululemon and the debris hit three women in the store and one was a 28-year-old charter school teacher from south philadelphia, that said tonight that the collapse has impacted her life.

. >>> congressman chaka fattah appeared in federal court and got advice from the judge and that was rethink your priorities. >> prosecutors say he misused campaign donations among other funds and four lawyers want off the case. they say he hasn't paid them since august. fattah says he will pay his bills but that he has to fundraise for re-elect campaign. the judge today did not rule on whether his lawyers can quit. told fattah to think long and hard about his priorities. >>> throughout the cleanup from this past weekend's within storm the city encouraging residents to call 311 if they need their street plowed. well, today we're hearing just how many people called. the philly 311 system says it's gotten 21,000 calls so far due to the blizzard of 2016. that is eight times the normal amount of calls it's gotten 6,000 more requests through social media. if you've called and still have not seen a plow officials say hang on to your claim number so workers can keep track of your request. >> the city is getting there. we're plowing and salting. streets depth has been doing incredible job, and a lot

. >>> today congressman chaka fattah's lawyers told the judge quote they want out. the attorneys say fattah stopped paying his bill and the firm is too small to not be paid. the congressman told the judge he focused on fund raise forge re-election and will deal with his defense fund after the april election. the judge advised him to take his case seriously and re-evaluate his priorities. the congressman hopes to hire a larger law firm able to work with his financial?situation. the trial is scheduled to begin may 2. the judge did not rule on the issue today and noted that the decision date was set. the congressman is married to renee chenault-fattah. she is on leave from the station. >> back to the storm recovery, agents at the philly 311 call center say they answered 24,000 phone calls with their questions and requests, since friday night. officials say that is eight times higher than the normal call volume. the center has had extended hours since the blizzard moved into the area and about 6,000 requests came through social media. one of the most popular questions d

. >>> philadelphia congressman chaka fattah got a scolding from a federal why today. fattah was back in federal court, where his four lawyers asked to be excused from fattah's fraud and racketeering trial because they have not been paid. the judge told fattah that he needs to rethink his priorities, after fattah says he was more concerned about raising money for his reelection campaign then for his trial. >>> there are no reports of any injuries in the wake of the stubborn fire in morrisville bucks county. fire fighters had to battle the cold and piles of snow, in addition to the flames and smoke. the the blaze broke out in the two story home in the 100 block of west philadelphia avenue. there is no word yet on a cause. >>> a garbage truck that runs on natural gas, exploded this afternoon in a mercer county neighborhood, and an "action news" viewer caught the entire thing on camera. this happened on fitsrandolph avenue in hamilton township. it started a 2:59 when a battery problem caused the truck to catch fire. workers tried to put out the flames themselves but then

congressman chaka fattah may need a new lawyer because his current legal team wants to quit. the lawyers will ask a judge today to let them offer the the case since fattah can't afford to pay them. >>> democratic lawmaker facing federal racketeering charges, he says he's already spent about $300,000 on the case. fattah running for re-election, he is set to go on trial in may. >> still ahead this morning, a police officer is nearly killed in a freak accident. now he's talking about how he survived getting hit by a tractor-trailer. incredible. also, not clearing the snow, we all know it can get in you trouble, right? but do you have hear why a delaware county man is now facing charges for using his snow blower after the storm. >> plus, you can call it a blizzard of activity in a hospital maternity ward as the snow fell. the sudden baby boom that earned a spot in the hospital record books. >> ♪ >> sing it, t swift, if only we could shake that snow off still on the street, right? be careful out there. those roads could still be ice if i your street been plowed, a lot of melting y

. >>> lawyers for congressman chaka fattah are staying on his case. a judge denied their request to withdrawal from the case. those four lawyers say fattah has not paid them sensation. u.s. district judge bartle says if the lawyers step down he's afraid that will delay the trial. he also says the attorneys understood what they were getting into when they septembered the case. the 11 term congressman is facing federal corruption and bribery charges. fattah says, he's paid the lawyers more than $100,000 since his arrest this past summer. now he says he will pay his bills but that he has to fundraise for his re-election campaign. the judge told fattah to think about his priorities. >>> donald trump remains firm no show for tomorrow night's gop presidential debate on fox. >> trump absence hurt his chances with voters? republican front man appeared on the o'reilly factor on fox news channel tonight. trump told bill o'reilly he doesn't feel he's missing an opportunity to reach out to voters. he says he won't appear in the debate out of principal. >> i was n

. >>> we have new information about congressman chaka fattah's legal problems. attorneys for the congressman told the judge they want off the case, the reason, fattah stopped paying them. nbc 10's harry hairston was in the courtroom. the judge had a suggestion for congressman fattah. >> he did. the judge told the congressman to take this matter seriously and question fad ta's priorities. fattah's lawyers told the judge at first they were excited to take on a high profile case. but now they want off of it because the congressman is not paying his bill. the defense attorney said fattah failed to make a payment in full last november. he says fattah promised to make good on the payment but never did. today fattah told the judge he supports his attorney's desire to withdraw because they cannot agree to the payment arrangements he wants which will require them to go without payment for an extended period of time. the congressman told nbc 10 last week he was focusing his fundraising efforts on his re-election campaign and would deal with his court case after the april

. >>> congressman chaka fattah face add judge in federal court today. that judge telling fattah to rethink his priorities. the 11-term congressman is facing federal corruption and bribery charges. prosecutors say he misused campaign donations and four lawyers want off the case. they say fattah hasn't paid them since august. fattah says he will pay his bills but that he's got oh fundraise for re-election campaign. the judge did not rule today on whether this lawyers can quit but told the congressman to think long and hard about his priorities. the federal corruption trial sill set for may second. >> tomorrow marks one year since center city building collapse roof at the lulu lemon stall on walnut street fell after bricks from a building neck door hit. the collapse hurt three women who were inside and year later now, one of them is suing saying she's still suffering. allison friedman joined her attorneys today. she says she's been in pain every day since the accident. and tomorrow she has to have spinal fusion surgery. she's going to spent the next few da

. >>> out of money, that is what chaka fattah senior is now claiming and it may affect his criminal court case. congressman says he can in longer pay the firm representing him in the federal racketeering case and will have to find a new lawyer. fattah is accused of using federal grant and charitable donations to repay a illegal one million-dollar campaign loan and funneling campaign money toward his son's student loans. fattah says he cannot continue to pay the the hundreds of thousands of dollars that it has taken on this case. the court hearing has been scheduled for next week to determine if his lawyers, can quit. >>> a federal judge has dismissed defamation lawsuit filed by pittsburgh area woman against bill cosby. woman accused of defaming her when he and his representatives responded to allegations that he drugged and sexually assaulted her and other woman. lawsuit was filed in october but a federal judge dismissed it, meaning that she cannot amend and refile it. >> right now people across the country are helping those affect by that water crisis in fl int michigan. >> that includes

. >>> lawyers for congressman chaka fattah who want off his corruption case are going stay on it. a judge denying a request from those lawyers to withdrawal from that case today. those four lawyers say fattah has not paid them since august. u.s. district judge harvey bartle says if the lawyer steps down he feels that will delay the trial. he also says the attorneys knew what they were getting into when they stepped the case. the 11-term congressman is facing federal corruption and bribery charges. fattah says he's paid the lawyers more than $100,000 since his arrest this past summer. he says he will pay his bills but he's got to fundraise for his re-election campaign. the judge told fattah to think about his priorities. >> evesham police with a warning out tonight about the luring attempt of a couple of children. authorities urging you to be on the look out for this black car caught on surveillance camera rah. it's the car police believe the suspects were driving in the sanctuary development januar january 16th. two boys were playing on peter heard way just before 5:00 in the even

. >>> congressman chaka fattah faced judge in federal court yesterday. encouraged fattah to rethink his priorities. >> eleven term congressman facing federal corruption and bribery charges, prosecutors say he misused campaign donations and his four lawyers want off the case. because they say fattah hasn't paid them since august. fattah says he will pay his bills, but that he has to, you know, funds raise for his re-election campaign at this point. so the judge did not rule on whether his lawyers can quit, but yesterday, told the congressman to think long and hard about his priorities, as lauren said. federal corruption charge still set for may second. >> okay, there is a fox news debate tomorrow night t looks like the big headline earn, the marquis player here will not be there. >> yes, frontrunner donald trump said he is skipping this debate, and fox news network seemed to sort of have some type of rocky relationship, because earlier debate where trump claims moderator and host asked other questions, will he threaten to walk as kelly stayed on as modera

. >>> pennsylvania congressman chaka fattah is soon looking for a new defense team to represent him in his upcoming corruption trial. today attorneys for the congressman told the judge, that they want off the case because fattah is not keeping up with his legal bills. the the judge expressed concern that fattah has prioritized raising money for his reelection over his legal issues. judge promised to make a decision and make it real soon. >>> as manhunt continues for the three escaped prisoners in california, we're learning more about the men's violent background. one official says quote they let hanibul lechter out. beyond than tu is facing murder charges other was being held on attempted charges and hussein nair is accused of kidnapping and for to tour. two of the men are linked to gangs and the community is on edge, the authorities say, these men could be hiding out nearby. >> this extremely important them to reach out to us, and let us necessity where they are at because they are armed and dangerous. >> these people are that bad. how did they get out of jail. >> reporter: investigat

lawyers for congressman chaka fattah staying on his case after judge denied the request to withdraw.t paid them since august but an us district says he's afraid the lawyer stepping down would delay the trial, the 11 term congressman facing federal corruption, bribery charges, fattah said he has paid the lawyers more than $100,000 since his arrest this past summer. he says, he will pay the bills, but first, he needs to fundraise for his re-election campaign. the judge told fattah rethink your priorities. >> philadelphia's water department is insisting the city's water is safe to drink after report last week accused it testing methods of being unsound. that report cited philadelphia's number as one of number of us cities that down plays the amount of lead found in water samples. city water department posted six page response on it website to address what it called concerning statement, and inaccuracies in the report. the department says they followed best practices in sampling approved by the state, mike anal next. >> thank you very much. well, the debate is tonight, the gop debate is

philadelphia congressman chaka fattah's legal and financial woes. fattah in federal court today got a brief but serious lecture from the judge we think your priorities. bruce gordon is live in the newsroom with the story. >> reporter: fattah is the 11-term incumbent serving part of philadelphia and slice of montgomery county. he's facing federal corruption and bribery charges. now four man legal team wants off the case. they say they're not getting paid. fattah is accused of misusing campaign donations, grants and charitable contributions to line his pockets and those of his friends. insists he's and in but here's where it gets interesting t hearing today his defense team told the judge they want to quit the case. fattah made an initial deposit to them back in august but since then has skipped several scheduled payments. the congressman claims he has spent some $300,000 in legal fees since he and his family went under the fbi's microscope nearly a decade ago. and he insists he will pay his bills but first he says, he must fundraise for his re-electi

. >>> today a judge ruled pennsylvania congressman chaka fattah's defense team cannot withdraw from representing him at the his upcoming corruption trial. attorneys for the congressman wanted off the case, because they say that fattah is not keeping up with his legal bills. the judge noted it was unlikely a new defense team could become familiar with the case by may second trial date. the judge also expressed concerns that fattah was raising money for his reelection instead of paying his legal bills. >>> campaign 2016 and we are five days a away from the was caucus. on the rope side donald trump said he will in the the take part in tomorrow night's "fox news" dispute, it is a dispute over presence of megan kill hoy trump a has been feuding with since the the first debate. that provided fuel for rival ted cruz. >> he announced he will not be there, apparently, megyn kelly is really, really scary. >> on the democratic side bernie sanders met with president obama today. it is viewed as a way for the president to show neutrality in the race and squash notion that he supports hillary clinton new step

the that is what chaka fattah senior is claiming and now it the may affect his criminal court case.sman says he can in longer pay firm representing him in the the federal racketeering case and will have to find a new lawyer. fattah is accused of using federal grants and charitable donations to repay a one million-dollar campaign loan and funneling campaign money toward his sop's student loans. fattah says he cannot continue to pay the hundreds of thousands of dollars that it has taken, on this case, and court hearing that is been scheduled for next week to determine if his lawyers can in fact quit. >>> a if just dismissed defamation lawsuit filed by a pittsburgh a area woman against bill cosby. woman accused cosby of defaming her when he and his representatives responded to allegations that he drugged and sexually assaulted her and other woman. lawsuit filed in october but federal judge dismissed witt prejudice meaning she cannot amend and refile it. >>> pennsylvania governor tom have wolf ordered all flags placed at half staff to honor 12 missing marines. among two are two from pen

. >>> lawyers defending congressman chaka fattah have asked a judge to let them quit the case. in court documents attorneys say fattah hasn't honored his fee agreement. the congressman addressed his concerns with his lawyers. >> we have ratzed and spent over $300,000 in legal fees, we can't keep up with the pace of the payments. i spoke with the firm and decided we are putting our effort into the primary election and the firm is not large enough to absorb and hold on to, you know, the cost in the case. >> nbc 10 caught up with the congressman about an hour ago in a campaign event where he was surrounded by other officials who support his election to congress. he tells us he's focused on his re-election campaign and will raise the money for his trial after the april primary. he wouldn't say how much he owes the attorneys. the congressman is accused of using federal grants and charitable donations to pay any illegal campaign loans. >>> and congressman fattah is married to nbc 10 news anchor renee chenault-fattah. renee is currently on leave from nbc 10. >>> well, coming up we hav

. >> and em battle congressman chaka fattah legal team wants to quick the case and they're going to court today to try. the lawyer wants why the to let them off the case since fattah can't afford to pay them. the democratic law maker is facing federal racketeering charges, and he says he's already spent $300,000 on the case. fattah is running for re-election, set to go on trial in may. >> 6:09 right now. still ahead this morning with less than week to go until the iowa caucuses, things are really heating up in that state. >> what the candidate are doing with their final few days before the iowa cake you cents, i'm brian web in new york, i'll have the latest coming up. >> plus, making a stadium super. we have a behind the scenes look as crews get ready for superbowl 50, less than two weeks away. we'll be right back. >> septa warns, still today, there could be some parking issues at some of the rail station frost piles of snow, give yourselves extra time. >> philadelphia international airport also largely back to normal this morning. most flights arrived and departed on time yesterday. but

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